Connector Locking Mechanism for Oblique Force Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors fail to securely maintain a mated state when subjected to obliquely upward forces, as the lock portions may not effectively prevent the mating lock portions from being moved upward, leading to a potential release of the mated state.
Innovation Solution
The connector design includes two lock portions located at opposite sides of the projecting wall, facing the receiving portion, which ensures that when an obliquely upward force is applied, one of the mating lock portions receives a force toward the lock portion, maintaining the mated state by locking the mating lock portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector uses a conventional lock portion design with the receiving portion, then the structure is simple, but the lock portion cannot effectively prevent the mating lock portion from being moved upward when subjected to obliquely upward forces
Solution Approach 1:
The lock portion is divided into two separate lock portions positioned at opposite sides of the projecting wall. Each lock portion independently engages with a corresponding mating lock portion, providing distributed locking action that prevents upward movement more effectively than a single centralized lock mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock portions are positioned not only at opposite sides in the front-rear direction but also arranged to face the receiving portion from lateral directions. This multi-dimensional arrangement creates overlapping engagement zones that block obliquely upward forces from disengaging the lock portions.
2Reliability
If the lock portions are positioned to face the receiving portion from opposite sides, then the mated state is securely maintained under obliquely upward forces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two lock portions are integrated with the projecting wall as a unified structure, where the lock portions extend laterally from opposite sides of the wall. This merging approach consolidates multiple locking functions into a single integrated component rather than using separate discrete parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The projecting wall serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the receiving portion boundaries, and houses the lock portions that engage with mating lock portions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated locking components.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is mateable with a mating connector having two mating lock portions along an upper-lower direction. The connector comprises a housing and two additional members held by the housing. The housing has a projecting wall projecting upward in the upper-lower direction, an outer wall surrounding the projecting wall in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the upper-lower direction and a receiving portion which is a space formed between the outer wall and the projecting wall and partially receives the mating connector under a mated state of the connector with the mating connector. Each of the additional members has a lock portion. The two lock portions are located at opposite sides of the projecting wall, respectively, in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the upper-lower direction and face the receiving portion. Under the mated state, the lock portions lock the locked portions, respectively, to maintain the mated state.