Electric Connector Locking Assembly for Secure Mating Assurance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric connectors lack reliable mechanisms to ensure secure assembly and prevent unintentional disconnection, leading to potential malfunctions due to incorrect positioning of components.
Innovation Solution
The electric connector incorporates a housing with a movable retaining member and a position assurance assembly that can only be locked into place if both a correct mechanical connection and the retaining member are in their respective positions, preventing activation unless all conditions are met, and features like U-shapes and locking members enhance mechanical stability and prevent incorrect assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a position assurance assembly is added to ensure correct assembly, then assembly reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position assurance assembly is integrated into the housing structure, combining multiple functions (position indication, locking, and retention control) into a single unified component rather than separate independent mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The position assurance assembly is pre-configured within the housing to automatically indicate assembly status and prevent incorrect assembly before operation begins, eliminating the need for separate verification steps
2Reliability
If a movable retaining member is added to prevent unintentional disconnection, then connection security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member is integrated with the position assurance assembly, combining retention functionality with position indication in a single mechanism that operates through unified structural elements
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining member is designed to be movable between retained and released positions, allowing dynamic control of connection security based on assembly status rather than being a fixed static structure
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple conditions are required for position assurance assembly activation, then assembly accuracy is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and retaining member are pre-configured to automatically satisfy the required conditions for position assurance assembly activation, eliminating the need for manual verification or complex operational steps by the user
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors and enforces assembly conditions through its structural design, with the position assurance assembly self-activating when conditions are met without requiring external intervention or complex user actions
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electric connector (1) configured to be plugged to a mating electric connector (55) and to a connector system (69). The electric connector (1) improves prior art solutions in that the electric connector (1) comprises a housing (5), at least one retaining member (11) movable with respect to the housing (5) between an open position (15) and a retaining position (17), and a position assurance assembly (21) movable with respect to the housing (5) between a pre-lock position (23) and a locking position (25), wherein a movement of the position assurance assembly into the locking position (25) is blocked by the housing (5) if the electric connector (1) is not plugged to the mating electric connector (55) and by the at least one retaining member (11) if the at least one retaining member (11) is not in the retaining position (17). Connector system (69) comprises the electric connector (1) and the mating electric connector (55).