Connector Locking Protrusion Segmentation for Reliable Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors face issues with the lock arm deteriorating over time, leading to a narrower deflection space and interference between the detector and lock arm, which prevents smooth movement to the detection position due to insufficient separation of the protrusion from the lock surface.

Innovation Solution

The connector design includes a locking protrusion with a wider locking main body and a smaller pressing protrusion that enters the lock hole from the opposite side of the deflection space, ensuring reliable separation of the stopper from the lock surface, reducing interference, and maintaining a sufficient locking margin for proper connection and separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lock arm is made deflectable to enable detector movement, then the detector can move from first position to second position, but the lock arm deteriorates over time causing the deflection space to narrow and the lock surface to lower, preventing sufficient separation of the stopper from the lock surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetector movementVSAvoidlocking reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking protrusion is divided into two distinct functional parts: a locking main body for engaging the lock surface and a pressing protrusion for pressing the stopper. This segmentation allows the pressing function to be performed from the opposite side of the deflection space, ensuring sufficient separation even when the lock arm deteriorates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of pressing the stopper from the deflection space side (which would be blocked by the lowered lock surface), the pressing protrusion presses the stopper from the opposite side (through the lock hole). This inverted approach overcomes the problem of the lowered lock surface caused by lock arm deterioration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the locking protrusion has a larger width to ensure locking margin, then the locking reliability is improved, but the pressing protrusion cannot enter the lock hole to press the stopper

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking marginVSAvoidstopper pressing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking protrusion is segmented into a locking main body with larger width for reliable locking and a pressing protrusion with smaller width for entering the lock hole. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between needing large width for locking margin and small width for pressing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the locking protrusion have different dimensions: the locking main body has larger width in the width direction to ensure locking margin, while the pressing protrusion has smaller width to fit through the lock hole. This local differentiation of dimensions allows both functions to be performed effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the stopper is pressed down to separate from the lock surface, then the detector can move to detection position, but interference may occur between the detector and the lock arm when the deflection space is narrow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetector movement to detection positionVSAvoidinterference between detector and lock arm

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing protrusion presses the stopper from the opposite side of the deflection space rather than from within the deflection space. This inverted pressing approach ensures the stopper is pushed deep into the deflection space, creating sufficient clearance between the detector and lock arm even when the deflection space is narrow due to deterioration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 configuration allows the detector to move smoothly to the detection position while ensuring a reliable locking margin, even if the lock arm hangs down due to deterioration, and prevents erroneous connections by guiding the housings into proper postures.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient arm projects from the detecting member and a protrusion is provided on a tip part of the resilient arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the lock arm hangs down from a normal position and the deflection space for the lock arm becomes narrower than normal due to deterioration over time, distortion during molding or the like

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9577382B2Connector

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A stopper (67) of a detector (60) is lockable to a lock surface (17) by entering a lock hole (18) of a lock arm (13) from a deflection space 15. A locking protrusion (45) of a second housing (40) locks to the lock surface (17) by entering the lock hole (18) from a side opposite the deflection space (15). Thus, the housings (10, 40) are held together and the stopper (67) pressed by the locking protrusion (45) separates from the lock surface (17) and the detector can move to the detection position. The locking protrusion (45) has a main body (46) wider than the lock surface (17) of a lock projection (16) and lockable to the lock surface (17). A pressing protrusion (47) narrower than the locking main body 46 projects from the locking main body (46) and enters the lock hole (18) to press the stopper (67).