Line Connector Locking Pins for Stable Low-Cost Housing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for large connectors face challenges in achieving stability and cost-effective production across various dimensions and stability requirements, as they often require specialized structures and higher tool costs.
Innovation Solution
The locking device employs pin-like fastening members and locking protrusions embedded in the circumferential walls of housings, allowing for flexible adaptation to different sizes and stability needs, with rivet connections and spring plates forming tension-resistant connections that can be unlocked using an adjustable ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized structures are added on the housing walls for locking clips, then the locking stability is improved, but the tool costs for manufacturing the housings increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking protrusions are extracted from the housing wall structures and implemented as separate pin elements that can be independently manufactured and installed. This separation allows the housing to be produced with standard tooling while the locking function is provided by detachable components, thereby reducing housing manufacturing costs while maintaining locking stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system is segmented into distinct components: the housing, the locking clips, and the pin-like locking protrusions. This segmentation enables each component to be optimized and manufactured independently, reducing the complexity and cost of housing production while ensuring reliable locking through the specialized pin elements.
2Reliability
If the housings are made with large dimensions to accommodate large connectors, then the connector stability is improved, but the housing weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is segmented to include integrated recesses that accommodate the locking clips and pin-like protrusions. This segmentation allows the housing to achieve the necessary stability for large connectors through strategic placement of locking elements rather than increasing overall housing mass, thereby maintaining stability while controlling weight.
3Reliability
If multiple locking clips are used to ensure stable connection, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking protrusions are extracted as separate pin elements that simplify the overall locking mechanism. Each pin-like protrusion works with corresponding locking clips in a standardized manner, reducing the complexity of the locking mechanism while maintaining high connection reliability through the use of multiple simple, identical elements rather than a complex integrated system.
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
This solution reduces manufacturing costs and enhances stability by eliminating the need for additional structures on the housings, enabling efficient production of multiple variants while ensuring secure engagement and easy release of large connectors.
Implementation Method 1
a set of elastic locking clips, which are retained on the first housing by fastening members and can be locked with latching action on locking protrusions of the second housing
Implementation Method 2
The fastening members and the locking protrusions are formed by rivet pins. The locking protrusions can then be formed simply by rivet heads of these pins... this creates a tension-resistant connection between the two housings
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device for line connectors includes a first housing (10) and a second housing (12) that can be placed against one another in an engagement direction (A). A set of resilient locking tabs (26) are held on the first housing (10) by means of fastening elements and can be latchingly locked on locking projections (32) of the second housing (12). A release ring (38) can be slid on the housings (10, 12) in the engagement direction (A) and that has release slopes (42) for transferring the locking tabs (26) into a released position. The fastening elements and the locking projections (32) are in the form of pins (24, 34) that are set in peripheral walls of the two housings (10, 12).