Connector Locking Arm Tapered Tip Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector connection structures in in-vehicle airbag systems face issues with excessive compressive stress concentration on the root part of locking arm portions due to stress concentration during impact, leading to potential durability concerns.
Innovation Solution
The proposed connector connection structure includes a design where the locking arm portions and abutting surfaces are configured such that the tip surfaces first receive a force from the abutting surface, dispersing compressive stress in the up-and-down direction, and incorporates a slider mechanism for enhanced locking and abnormality detection, with a tapered surface on the locking arm portions to further distribute stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the locking arm portions are designed with a simple structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but excessive compressive stress concentration occurs on the root part of the locking arm portion
Solution Approach 1:
The tip surface of the locking arm portion is designed with a tapered shape, creating local quality variation where the cross-sectional area gradually changes from the tip toward the root. This localized geometric modification distributes the compressive stress more evenly along the locking arm portion, preventing stress concentration at the root while maintaining the overall simplicity of the locking mechanism structure.
2Device complexity
If the abutting surface directly contacts the root part of the locking arm portion, then the locking mechanism is simpler, but excessive compressive stress acts on the root part causing durability issues
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the abutting surface contact the root part of the locking arm portion directly, the design inverts the contact location to the tip surface. The tapered tip surface gradually transitions the contact point from the tip toward the root, distributing the compressive stress along the entire length of the locking arm portion rather than concentrating it at the root, thereby improving durability while maintaining locking simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector connection structure includes a first connector and a second connector. A second component of the first connector includes a pair of locking arm portions protruding outwardly from an outer periphery of a main body portion of the second component at opposite end portions of the outer periphery. A first component of the first connector includes an abutting surface extending in an up-and-down direction on an inner periphery of a cylindrical portion of the first component and facing toward a rear side of the first connector in a fitting direction. The pair of locking arm portions and the abutting surface have a structure in which at least one part of a tip surface of the locking arm portions first receives a force from the abutting surface when the tip surface receives the force on the rear side in the fitting direction from the abutting surface.