Connector Lock Mechanism Adapting to Panel Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional panel-mounted connector devices for wire harnesses in vehicles lack adaptability in their lock mechanisms, which limits their effectiveness in securely locking connectors to mounting panels with varying thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
A lock mechanism featuring a flange portion, an arm portion that is bendable and extends from the connector housing, and a lock beak portion that projects from the arm to lock onto the mounting panel, allowing for secure engagement and adaptability to different panel thicknesses through multiple lock beak portions with varying projections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single lock beak portion is used, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different panel thicknesses is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The lock beak portion is divided into multiple segments (first lock beak portion and second lock beak portion) positioned at different distances from the connector housing. Each segment can engage with panels of different thicknesses independently, allowing the lock mechanism to adapt to various panel thicknesses without requiring a completely different structure for each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism transitions from a single-point engagement to multi-point engagement along the axial dimension. By positioning lock beak portions at different axial distances, the mechanism can engage panels at different thickness levels, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the adaptability without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lock beak portion projects further, then it can lock thicker panels, but it interferes with connector mating
Solution Approach 1:
The lock beak portion is segmented into multiple sections with different projection lengths. The first lock beak portion has a longer projection for engaging thicker panels, while the second lock beak portion has a shorter projection that does not interfere with mating operations. This segmentation allows the mechanism to handle thick panels without compromising the ease of connector mating.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the lock beak portion have different projection characteristics tailored to specific functions. The first lock beak portion is designed with longer projection for panel engagement, while the second lock beak portion has shorter projection optimized for non-interference during mating. This local differentiation of properties resolves the conflict between locking capability and mating ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A lock mechanism used for a connector mechanism of a wire harness includes a flange portion projecting from a connector housing in an intersection direction intersecting with an axial direction, an arm portion supported by the connector housing at a base end, extended from the connector housing to the flange portion side along the axial direction, having a free front end, and being bendable along the intersection direction, and a lock beak portion projecting from the arm portion to a side opposite to the connector housing side along the intersection direction and being lockable to a mounting panel disposed between the lock beak portion and the flange portion in the axial direction. The lock beak portion includes a plurality of lock beak portions provided along the axial direction at certain intervals.