Connector Lock Release Structure for Lower Mold Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector designs require two types of housings for frequent and infrequent use, leading to increased mold costs due to the need for separate unlocking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with a lock functioning portion and a separate releasing member that can be attached or detached based on usage frequency, allowing the lock functioning portion to be disengaged from the mating housing using the releasing member, thus reducing the need for multiple housing types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two types of housings are manufactured (one with unlocking portion, one without), then the connector can be adapted to different usage frequencies, but the mold cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two independent parts: the housing (with locking portion) and the releasing member (with unlocking portion). The releasing member can be separately attached or detached from the housing, allowing the same housing to serve both frequent-separation and infrequent-separation applications depending on whether the releasing member is attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasing member is designed to be selectively attachable and detachable from the housing, transforming a static housing design into a dynamic configuration. This allows the connector's functionality to change based on user needs without requiring different housing molds.
2Ease of operation
If an unlocking portion is provided on the housing, then frequent separation is enabled, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking functionality is segmented into a separate releasing member that attaches to the housing, rather than being integrated into the housing itself. This keeps the housing structure simple while still providing easy unlocking capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasing member acts as an intermediary component that provides the unlocking function without being part of the housing structure. It mediates between the user's unlocking action and the locking mechanism, allowing easy operation without complicating the housing.
3Device complexity
If no unlocking portion is provided on the housing, then the housing structure remains simple, but frequent separation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking function is separated into an optional releasing member that can be attached to the simple housing. This allows the housing to remain structurally simple while gaining frequent separation capability when the releasing member is attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with universal functionality that can accommodate both frequent-separation and infrequent-separation applications by simply attaching or detaching the releasing member, without requiring different housing structures.
Data Source
AI summary
It is aimed to reduce cost. A female connector (F) includes a female housing (30) to be connected to a male housing (10), a lock functioning portion (57) provided on the female housing (30) and configured to lock the female housing (30) and the male housing (10) in a connected state by being locked to the male housing (10), and a releasing member (63) attachable to and detachable to the female housing (30), the releasing member being a component separate from the female housing (30). The releasing member (63) can displace the lock functioning portion (57) to disengage the lock functioning portion (57) from the male housing (10) while being mounted on the female housing (30).