Connector Lock Member Spring Force via Perpendicular Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small-sized lock members in connectors have reduced spring force, which is insufficient for maintaining a secure mating state with mating connectors.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a lock member with a body portion, a lock portion, a spring portion, and an operated portion, where the spring portion is positioned to provide sufficient force for locking and unlocking, and an aid tool is used to release the locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the lock member is made small-sized, then the connector size is reduced, but the spring force of the lock member is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lock portion, utilizing the thickness direction of the lock member. This spatial arrangement allows the spring to generate sufficient force without increasing the overall footprint of the lock member in the planar dimensions, thus maintaining small connector size while providing adequate spring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the spring portion, specifically making it extend perpendicular to the lock portion rather than parallel. This parameter change optimizes the spring's ability to generate force within the constrained space of a small-sized lock member, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and force maintenance.
2Reliability
If the spring portion is positioned to provide sufficient locking force, then the locking security is improved, but the lock member size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the spring portion to extend in the thickness direction (perpendicular to the lock portion), the invention utilizes the third dimension to achieve sufficient locking force without expanding the lock member's planar dimensions. This maintains compact connector size while ensuring reliable locking security.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion is designed to be flexible and capable of elastic deformation, allowing it to dynamically adjust and maintain optimal contact force with the engaged portion. This dynamic characteristic ensures reliable locking without requiring excessive spring force or larger dimensions.
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 design ensures a secure locking mechanism with sufficient spring force while maintaining a compact size, allowing for easy operation to release the lock when needed.
Implementation Method 1
The spring portion urges the lock portion to move toward the lock position
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is matable with a mating connector which has an engaged portion. The connector comprises a support portion and a lock member pivotally supported by the support portion. The lock member comprises a body portion, a lock portion, a spring portion and an operated portion. The body portion comprises a first predetermined portion which has a plate-like shape and is pivotally supported by the support portion. The lock portion is movable between a lock position and a release position in response to a pivotal movement of the body portion. The lock portion comprises an engaging portion engagable with the engaged portion. The engagement of the engaging portion with the engaged portion is locked when the lock portion is positioned at the lock position, while the engagement is released when the lock portion is positioned at the release position. The spring portion urges the lock portion to move toward the lock position. The spring portion extends from the body portion and has a second predetermined portion, which is parallel to the first predetermined portion but is different in position from the first predetermined portion in a direction perpendicular to the first and the second predetermined portions. The operated portion is formed and arranged to force the lock portion to move to the release position when the operated portion is operated.