Electrical Connector Locking Element With Spring Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector parts lack an easy-to-operate and user-friendly locking mechanism that provides clear haptic and acoustic feedback during locking and unlocking, making assembly and usage cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A connector part design featuring a guide element that slides along a latching leg of a spring element, providing defined positions and feedback through interaction with a guide section, allowing for easy assembly and clear indication of locking or unlocking positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is provided in existing connector parts, then the connection security is improved, but the operation becomes cumbersome and lacks clear feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements haptic feedback through the spring element that provides tactile resistance and confirmation during locking and unlocking operations. The spring element compresses and releases, giving the user clear tactile feedback about the current state (locked or unlocked) and the transition between states, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-indicating through the spring element's natural compression and release. The system automatically provides feedback about its state without requiring additional indicators or complex mechanisms, making the operation intuitive and self-explanatory while maintaining secure locking.
2Ease of operation
If a locking mechanism with clear feedback is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element's physical state (compressed vs. relaxed) changes to indicate the locking state. This simple parameter change provides clear feedback without adding complex mechanisms. The spring's natural elastic properties are utilized to provide tactile feedback, avoiding the need for additional sensors, indicators, or complex mechanical feedback systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback function is extracted from complex indicator systems and implemented through the inherent mechanical properties of the spring element itself. The spring's compression and release naturally provide tactile feedback, eliminating the need for separate feedback mechanisms and thus adding minimal complexity while improving ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a spring element with latching leg is used, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element's elastic properties allow it to accommodate reasonable manufacturing tolerances. The spring can compress and expand to compensate for minor dimensional variations in the latching leg and guide section, enabling easy assembly without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision while still providing reliable locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and compensates for manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations. By designing the spring with appropriate preload and compliance, the system can accommodate dimensional variations in the latching leg and guide section, making assembly easier without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing.
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
The design enables intuitive operation with clear haptic and acoustic feedback, ensuring the user knows when the locking or unlocking position is reached, facilitating secure connections and disconnections.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (12) having a locking leg (121) for locking the guide element (131) in place on the guide section (111) in the locking position and/or the Has unlocked position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical connector part (1) for connecting to a mating electrical connector part (2), which electrical connector part comprises a locking element (13), which is movably arranged on a housing (10) and is designed to lock the mating electrical connector part (2) to the housing (10) in a locking position and can be moved out of the locking position in order to release the locking between the mating electrical connector part (2) and the housing (10) in an unlocking position. A connecting device (11) connects the locking element (13) to the housing (10) and has a guide portion (111), a guide element (131) guided on the guide portion (111), and a spring element (12). The spring element (12) has a locking leg (121) for lockingly fastening the guide element (131) to the guide portion (111) in the locking position and/or the unlocking position. In this way, an electrical connector part is provided which has a locking means that is easy to operate, haptically pleasing and easy to install.