Connector Locking Mechanism for Compact Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with male and female housings face issues where the male housing is enlarged due to fitting recesses and resilient locking pieces, making it difficult to stack multiple female housings without interference.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with internal lock receiving portions and locks on the back surface of the accommodation area, allowing for parallel housing arrangement without enlargement, and a jig insertion hole for easy unlocking, enabling multiple housings to be stacked without projecting locking components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resilient locking pieces project on the outer surface of the female housing, then the locking function is achieved, but the connector is enlarged and multiple housings cannot be stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The lock receiving portion is nested inside the housing rather than projecting outward. The resilient locking piece engages with this internal lock receiving portion, effectively hiding the locking mechanism within the housing boundaries. This nesting approach maintains the locking function while preventing external projection that would prevent stacking of multiple housings.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the locking piece project outward from the housing surface, the design inverts the approach by having the lock receiving portion recessed inside the housing. The locking action occurs internally, reversing the conventional external projection design and enabling compact stacking of multiple connectors.
2Ease of operation
If hooks are provided on both end parts of the male housing with fitting recesses between them, then the connection structure is formed, but the male housing is enlarged in the arrangement direction
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a horizontal arrangement (hooks on end parts with fitting recesses between them along the length of the housing) to a vertical arrangement (lock receiving portion on the front surface engaging with locks on the back surface). This dimensional change shortens the housing length while maintaining the connection structure functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If the lock receiving portion is inside the housing and lock is on the back surface, then stacking is enabled, but unlocking becomes difficult without a jig
Solution Approach 1:
A jig is introduced as an intermediary tool to access and operate the unlocking mechanism. The jig insertion hole provides a pathway for the jig to reach the lock releasing portion from the outside, enabling users to unlock the internal locking mechanism without disassembling the housing. This mediator approach maintains the compact internal structure while providing easy external access for unlocking.
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
Prevents connector enlargement and allows for stable stacking of multiple housings by keeping locking components internal, facilitating easy unlocking and improved operability.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient locking piece projects on the outer surface of the female housing... the resilient locking piece to the hook... resiliently lock the lock receiving portions of the respective housings
Data Source
AI summary
It is aimed to enable a plurality of housings to be stacked without enlarging a connector. A connector includes a housing (60) including a lock receiving portion (67) inside and a case (10) internally provided with accommodation areas (13) capable of accommodating a plurality of the housings (60) in parallel and including lock portions (21) on back surfaces (18) of the accommodation areas (13), and the lock portions (21) resiliently lock the lock receiving portions (67) of the respective housings (60) to restrict the separation of the housings (60) from the accommodation areas (13).