Connector Locking Device Elastic Resilient Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector housings face challenges in producing a cost-effective locking device that ensures reliable electrical connections and sealing without interrupting the conductive connection, requiring precise manufacturing and additional processing steps.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with an elastically resilient section that reduces the distance between locking arms and connecting sections, allowing them to engage with rigid fastening elements, and a simple sealing ring for tight sealing, eliminating the need for complex manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastic sealing ring is used to provide sufficient restoring force to hold the locking device in closed position, then the locking reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements for sealing surfaces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into separate functional components: a locking bracket for engagement and a separate spring element for providing restoring force. This segmentation allows the sealing surfaces to be simpler while maintaining locking reliability through the dedicated spring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate spring element is introduced as an intermediary component between the locking bracket and the housing parts. This spring element mediates the force transmission, providing the necessary restoring force without requiring high precision sealing surfaces, thus resolving the contradiction between locking reliability and manufacturing precision.
2Device complexity
If the locking bracket is designed in one piece with an integral spring element, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into separate functional components: a locking bracket for engagement and a separate spring element for providing restoring force. This segmentation allows the sealing surfaces to be simpler while maintaining locking reliability through the dedicated spring mechanism.
3Reliability
If additional spring elements are added to fasten the locking bracket, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides restoring force for the locking bracket, ensures reliable engagement, and maintains sealing pressure. This multi-functionality improves locking reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single spring element accomplishes multiple objectives.
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 solution simplifies the manufacturing and assembly of connector housings, reducing costs while ensuring a secure, tight seal and reliable electrical connection without additional processing steps, and can be applied to both longitudinal and transverse locking clips.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one elastically resilient section (36, 38) can reduce the distance between the locking arms (42, 44) of a locking bar leg (26a, 26b) and its connecting sections (32, 34) as a result of an external force acting on the locking bar (26)
Implementation Method 2
a restoring force acting as a result of the elastic deformation of the elastically resilient section pulls the connecting sections back into their initial position relative to one another, as a result of which the housing parts are braced against one another
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a housing of a connector for establishing an electrical connection between the connector and a socket receiving it, comprising at least a first and a second housing part which can be detachably connected to one another by means of a locking device and rigid fastening elements. The locking device comprises at least one locking bracket with two substantially parallel legs and a web connecting the legs, each leg of the locking bracket comprising two locking arms which have connecting sections for connection with the rigid fastening elements.The locking arms of the locking bracket are connected to the web of the locking bracket by at least one elastically resilient section, so that the distance between the locking arms of one leg can be changed and the locking bracket is able to clamp the at least two housing parts against each other by connecting the connecting sections with the rigid fastening elements.