Spring-Loaded Connector Lock Lever for Vibration Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies are unstable in high vibration environments, leading to noise and sympathetic vibration when the first and second connectors are mated.
Innovation Solution
The connector assembly incorporates a lock lever with a spring attachment to both the second housing and the lock lever, ensuring the engaging portion of the lock lever is pressed against the engaged portion of the first housing, stabilizing the connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing connector assemblies are used in high vibration environments, then the connectors can be mated and connected, but the connection becomes unstable leading to noise and sympathetic vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded lock lever is pre-configured to apply continuous locking force to counteract vibration before it causes instability. The spring bias ensures the engaging portion is constantly pressed against the engaged portion, creating preliminary counter-action against the harmful vibration forces that would otherwise cause connection instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock lever utilizes curved or inclined surfaces in its engaging portion that work with the spring force to create a self-locking mechanism. The curved geometry allows the spring-loaded lever to maintain continuous contact and locking pressure on the engaged portion, preventing vibration-induced loosening through geometric constraint combined with elastic force.
2Reliability
If a spring is attached to both the second housing and the lock lever, then the engaging portion is pressed against the engaged portion for stability, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring, lock lever, and housing are combined into an integrated assembly where the spring is attached directly to both the housing and the lock lever in a unified structure. This merging of components achieves the stabilizing function while minimizing the number of separate parts, reducing overall device complexity despite the added spring element.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded lock lever mechanism is self-regulating and self-locking. The spring automatically maintains the engaging portion pressed against the engaged portion without requiring external control systems or additional actuators. The mechanism serves itself by using the spring's inherent elastic force to maintain continuous locking pressure, eliminating the need for complex control circuitry or manual adjustment mechanisms.
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 configuration effectively prevents instability between the first and second connectors in high vibration environments, ensuring a secure and stable connection.
Implementation Method 1
a spring attached to both the second housing and the lock lever; the spring urges the lock lever to be moved toward the lock position
Implementation Method 2
the spring urges the second axis portion to be moved in the second direction; the engaging portion of the lock lever is pressed against the engaged portion of the first housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A connector assembly comprises a first connector and a second connector. The first connector comprises a first housing. The first housing is provided with an engaged portion. The second connector comprises a second housing, a lock lever and a spring. The second housing is provided with a first axis portion. The lock lever is provided with a second axis portion and an engaging portion. The engaging portion is positioned beyond the engaged portion in a first direction when the lock lever is positioned at a lock position under a mated state where the first connector and the second connector are mated with each other. The spring urges the lock lever to be moved toward the lock position. When the lock lever is positioned at the lock position, the spring urges the second axis portion to be moved in a second direction.