Connector Lock Spring Angled Deformation for Breakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face issues with lock spring deformation and breakage during unmating, particularly when high forces are applied, which compromises the locking mechanism's integrity and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The connector design incorporates a dual-member structure with a lock spring portion and a deformation-preventing portion, where the lock spring is resiliently deformed in a combined upward and horizontal direction during unmating, and the regulated portion's movement is defined by a regulating portion to prevent excessive deformation and breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the lock spring portion extends downward to resist unmating force, then the locking force is firmly maintained, but the lock spring portion may be plastically deformed and broken when high force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The lock spring portion is configured to extend in both the up-down direction and the first horizontal direction, forming an angled resilient deformation path. When unmating force is applied, the lock spring portion deforms along this combined direction rather than purely vertically, distributing the stress and preventing plastic deformation that would occur with vertical extension only.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the lock spring portion by defining its extension direction as a combination of vertical and horizontal components. This parameter modification allows the lock spring to achieve both sufficient locking force through its resilient deformation and resistance to breakage by optimizing the stress distribution along its length.
2Ease of operation
If the lock spring portion extends upward to allow easy release, then the lock can be easily released when forced, but the locking force is not firmly maintained under high unmating force
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the lock spring portion in both vertical and horizontal directions, the patent creates a multi-dimensional deformation path that balances locking strength and release ease. The horizontal component provides structural stability for firm locking, while the vertical component allows resilient deformation for easy release when needed.
3Reliability
If the lock spring portion extends horizontally to prevent deformation, then breakage is prevented, but the locking mechanism cannot effectively resist vertical unmating force
Solution Approach 1:
The lock spring portion combines horizontal and vertical extension directions to simultaneously achieve breakage resistance and unmating force resistance. The horizontal component prevents excessive deformation and breakage, while the vertical component enables effective resistance to unmating forces through resilient deformation.
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
This design ensures the locking force is maintained while preventing lock spring breakage, enhancing the connector's reliability and durability by controlling the movement of the lock and regulated portions effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the lock spring portion is resiliently deformed so that each of the lock portion and the regulated portion is moved in a combined direction of upward in the up-down direction and the first horizontal direction
Data Source
AI summary
A connector comprises a first member and a second member. The first member has a lock spring portion, a lock portion and a regulated portion. When the connector and a mating connector are in a mated state where the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other, the lock portion locks the mated state together with a locked portion of the mating connector. The first member is configured so that, when the mating connector is forced to be unmated from the connector under the mated state, the lock spring portion is resiliently deformed so that each of the lock portion and the regulated portion is moved in a combined direction of upward in an up-down direction and a first horizontal direction. The second member has a deformation-preventing portion provided with a regulating portion. A range of the movement of the regulated portion is defined by the regulating portion.