Plug-In Connector Locking Structure for Mismating Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connector designs with mis-mating protection mechanisms are complex and prone to misinterpretation due to the need for a locking plate to be moved against spring pressure in both insertion and transverse directions, risking incorrect alignment.
Innovation Solution
A mis-plugging element with a locking element is designed to move in the plug-in direction, using unlocking projections and a locking member to ensure correct alignment, with a compression spring returning the element to its blocking position when not engaged, and a wedge-shaped locking rail or flexible tab for secure locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking plate is used to prevent incorrect plugging, then mismating protection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to spring elements and multiple moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking plate and locking element into a single integrated component. The locking plate serves dual functions: it blocks incorrect plugging attempts and guides the locking element during proper insertion. This merging eliminates the need for separate spring elements and reduces the number of moving parts, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the spring element from the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for elastic components. Instead of using spring pressure to return the locking plate to its blocking position, the design uses the geometric constraints of the guide channel and the plugging force itself to achieve the same function, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining mismating protection.
2Ease of operation
If the locking plate is moved in both insertion and transverse directions, then unlocking functionality is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the insertion movement and transverse unlocking movement into a single integrated motion path for the locking plate. The guide channel's geometry is designed so that proper insertion automatically triggers the transverse movement that releases the locking element, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each direction of movement and simplifying the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide channel is pre-designed with specific geometric features that automatically guide the locking plate through the correct sequence of movements during insertion. The channel's shape preliminarily determines the locking plate's path, ensuring that insertion automatically triggers unlocking without requiring additional control mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity.
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
Simplifies the connector design by ensuring correct alignment without the risk of misinterpretation, effectively preventing incorrect plugging while allowing secure electrical contact when properly aligned.
Implementation Method 1
At least one common compression spring serves to return both the mismating element and the locking element to their locking position when the connector is not inserted
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
Connector with contacts that can be plugged into a mating connector arranged in an insulating housing (8) with mating contacts designed complementarily to the contacts in a plugging direction (5), wherein in the insulating housing (8) a misconnection element (1) is slidably mounted in a guide channel (10) extending in the plugging direction (5) against at least one compression spring (9) in the plugging direction (5) such that at least one locking element (4) is slidably mounted on the misconnection element (1) against the at least one compression spring (9) in the plugging direction (5), that at least one locking member (11) is arranged on the misconnection element (1) which, in a locked position, engages a locking edge (14) on the guide channel (10) and is blocked by the locking element (4) in this locked position such that the slidability of the misconnection element (1) is simultaneously eliminated, and that at least one release projection (6) projects from the connector.which only engages in corresponding recesses (7) on the misconnector (1) when the connector and its contacts are correctly placed on the mating connector and on its mating contacts, and simultaneously moves the locking element (4) in the insertion direction (5) on the misconnector (1) into an opening position such that the blockage of the locking element (11) at the locking edge (14) of the guide channel (10) is released and the locking element (11) releases the locking edge (14) and, together with the misconnector (1), moves in the insertion direction (5) into the guide channel (10) until the connector is fully inserted onto the mating connector.