Low-Profile Connector Lock with U-Shaped Bend
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors require multiple actions for mating and detaching, which can lead to instability and increased risk of unintentional disengagement, particularly under external forces.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile connector design featuring a U-shaped bend and press-fitting protrusion with serrations, where the lock is integrally formed as a resilient leaf spring, allowing single-action mating and detaching by distributing and absorbing forces through its deflection and frictional engagement with the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a lock support movable in frontward and rearward directions is used to support locks, then the connector achieves low profile, but detaching requires two actions (moving lock support and then pulling connector)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the lock support mechanism from the housing and replaces it with a resilient lock that directly engages with the housing through press-fitting. The lock is made resilient and extends beyond the housing to allow manual operation, eliminating the need for a movable lock support while maintaining low profile.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a movable lock support that requires sequential operations, the invention inverts the approach by making the lock itself resilient and directly operable. The lock can be manually pressed to engage and pulled to disengage, reversing the traditional mechanism where a separate support structure controlled the locking action.
2Ease of operation
If locks are made resilient and extend beyond housing, then single-action detaching is achieved, but lock stability under external forces may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is pre-configured with a resilient structure that automatically engages with the housing upon insertion. The press-fitting protrusion is preliminarily positioned to engage with the housing, and the bend is pre-formed to provide immediate locking action without requiring additional operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient structure of the lock, particularly the bend portion, acts as a cushioning element that absorbs external forces before they can cause disengagement. The resilience provides a buffer that maintains locking stability under varying loads and external forces.
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 connector achieves stable locking and secure detachment with single-action operations, preventing unintentional disengagement and distributing forces to prevent breakage, ensuring robustness and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The lock has a base extending in a mating direction, a bend extending continuously from a rear end of the base in the mating direction and formed in a U-shape... The bend has a bend face facing in the mating direction and is separated from the housing by a bend gap... The press-fitting protrusion is press-fitted in the housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector comprises a housing and a lock connected to the housing. The lock has a base extending in a mating direction, a bend extending continuously from a rear end of the base in the mating direction and formed in a U-shape, and a press-fitting protrusion extending from an end of the bend opposite the base. The bend has a bend face facing in the mating direction and is separated from the housing by a bend gap. The press-fitting protrusion is press-fitted in the housing.