Electrical Connector Locking Member Regulates Fitting Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors require complex operations to securely maintain engagement with mating connectors, often relying on adhesives which complicate insertion and removal processes.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector with a locking member featuring a regulation portion and guide portion that regulates the enlargement of a cylindrical fitting portion, allowing secure engagement without adhesives, enabling easy insertion and removal by moving the regulation portion between a standby and regulation position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive is used to securely maintain engagement, then engagement security is improved, but insertion and removal operations become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (adhesive) with a mechanical locking mechanism. The locking member includes a regulation portion that can regulate the enlargement of the fitting portion, creating a mechanical interlock between connectors. This mechanical system achieves secure engagement without requiring adhesives, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling simple insertion and removal operations through manual manipulation of the locking member.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is designed to be movable between different positions (engaged and disengaged states). The regulation portion can dynamically adjust between regulating and non-regulating states, allowing the fitting portion to be enlarged during insertion and then locked in place. This dynamic mechanism provides both secure engagement and ease of operation, as the locking member can be easily moved to release the lock for removal.
2Reliability
If fitting portion outer diameter is increased for secure engagement, then engagement security is improved, but insertion operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is positioned to engage with the fitting portion before the connector insertion is completed. The regulation portion预先 (in advance) regulates the enlargement of the fitting portion, allowing the fitting portion to be enlarged only to the necessary extent for secure engagement. This preliminary regulation prevents excessive enlargement that would make insertion difficult, while still achieving secure engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulation portion applies localized constraint to the fitting portion at specific locations where enlargement is needed for engagement security. Rather than uniformly increasing the entire fitting portion diameter, the locking member regulates enlargement only at the critical interface region between connectors. This localized approach maintains ease of insertion while achieving secure engagement at the contact points.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a plug connector and a locking member. The plug connector includes a conductive outer conductor shell electrically connected to a contact of a mating connector, and the outer conductor shell includes a cylindrical fitting portion fitted to a ground contact member. An outer diameter of the fitting portion is configured to be enlarged when the fitting portion is attached to or removed from the ground contact member, and the locking member includes a regulation portion capable of regulating the enlargement of the fitting portion. A guide portion is configured to guide the movement of the regulation portion with respect to the fitting portion, as the regulation portion is moved between a regulation position and a standby position.