Connector Lock Lever Segmentation for Reliable Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector designs, such as JP A 2005-235545, face issues with the deterioration of the lock lever's spring characteristic, leading to improper release of the mating lock due to the locking hook not retracting within the housing, causing the connector to fail in releasing the mating connection.
Innovation Solution
A connector design incorporating a spring portion, a lock member, and a movable member, where the lock portion can be intentionally moved between lock and unlock positions using the operation portion, allowing for reliable release of the mating connection by utilizing a strong spring force and resilient characteristics to ensure consistent operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lock lever is provided as a part of the housing made of resin, then the connector structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the spring characteristic of the lock lever deteriorates over time causing the locking hook to fail to retract
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is divided into separate components: the lock lever (with locking hook) is separated from the housing, allowing the lever to be made of metal with resilient properties while the housing remains resin. This segmentation enables the locking hook to maintain its spring characteristic and reliably retract into the housing without the deterioration issues that would occur if it were integrally formed from resin.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector uses composite material construction where the housing is made of resin and the lock lever is made of metal. This combination allows the resin housing to provide structural support and electrical insulation, while the metal lock lever provides the necessary resilient properties and spring characteristic for reliable locking and unlocking operations over time.
2Ease of operation
If the lock lever is made resilient to enable locking hook retraction, then the lock can be released, but the resilient property deteriorates over time causing inconsistent operation
Solution Approach 1:
The lock lever is constructed from metal material with superior resilient properties compared to resin. This metal construction maintains consistent elastic deformation characteristics over time, enabling the locking hook to reliably retract when the lock lever is pressed, thus ensuring consistent lock release operation without the deterioration problems associated with resin-based resilient components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of the lock lever from resin to metal, which fundamentally improves the resilient properties. This parameter change ensures that the lock lever can undergo repeated elastic deformation cycles without significant loss of spring characteristic, maintaining operation consistency throughout the product lifecycle.
3Reliability
If the locking hook is positioned within the housing to lock mating, then the connection is secure, but the hook must reliably return to this position which fails when spring characteristic deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock lever is made of metal material that maintains its resilient properties over extended periods, ensuring the locking hook can reliably return to its locked position within the housing mating connector. This metal construction prevents the spring characteristic deterioration that would otherwise cause the hook to fail reaching its proper position over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock lever incorporates a curved or bent configuration that utilizes elastic deformation to achieve the locking and unlocking motion. This curved structure, combined with metal material properties, ensures reliable elastic recovery that maintains the locking hook's ability to return to its proper position within the housing over the duration of product use.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed connector ensures reliable and consistent release of the mating connection by utilizing a strong spring force and resilient characteristics, preventing the lock from becoming stuck over time due to deterioration, thus maintaining proper functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the front end of the spring portion presses the pressed portion to move the movable member towards the non-operation position
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a spring portion, a lock member and a movable member. When the movable member is forced to be moved from a non-operation position to an operation position, an operation portion of the movable member operates an operated portion of the lock member to move a lock portion of the lock member from a lock position to an unlock position. When the movable member is held at the operation position, a front end of the spring portion presses a pressed portion of the movable member to move the movable member towards the non-operation position. When the movable member is released, the movable member is moved back from the operation position to the non-operation position so that the operation portion stops to operate the operated portion to move the lock portion back to the lock position.