Connector Locking Element With Wings Prevents Tensile Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connections with locking elements are prone to unintended release under tensile forces, posing safety risks due to the design of plastic locking geometry that can slide off, leading to disconnection of the connector and mating connector.
Innovation Solution
The connector incorporates a locking element with a latching nose that engages the locking geometry only when fully assembled, ensuring the primary lock is actuated and cannot be released even under high tensile stresses, using a wing to secure the transverse web and longitudinal bar in their final positions, preventing disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic locking geometry (transverse web and longitudinal bar) is used in the primary locking mechanism, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the plastic components can slide off under tensile forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element acts as an intermediary component between the locking geometry and the locking nose. It transfers the locking action from the plastic locking geometry to a more reliable mechanical engagement with the locking nose, preventing direct sliding while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the locking geometry (transverse web and longitudinal bar), the locking element with wings, and the locking nose. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the plastic parts for ease of manufacture and the mechanical locking element for reliability under tensile loads
2Ease of operation
If the locking element is made displaceable only after complete assembly, then ease of operation is improved through controlled locking, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element transitions from a fixed pre-assembled state to a displaceable locked state only after complete connector assembly. This dynamic behavior provides operational control - the locking element remains inactive during insertion and only engages the locking nose when the connectors are fully assembled, ensuring proper mating before securing the connection
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is pre-positioned in a non-locking state during assembly, allowing the connectors to be fully inserted and mated first. Only after complete assembly is the locking element displaced to engage the locking nose, ensuring that the connection is properly established before the locking action occurs
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A connector comprising a plug connector (10) and a mating plug connector (20), wherein the plug connector (10) has a first locking element and the mating plug connector (20) has a corresponding further locking element forming a locking geometry (13), by means of which a first locking (primary locking) occurs between the plug connector (10) and the mating plug connector (20) when the connector is assembled, and wherein a locking element (1) is provided which is longitudinally displaceable in the insertion direction between a pre-locking position and a final locking position, wherein the locking element (1) is designed such that it can only be displaced from its pre-locking position to the final locking position when the mating plug connector (20) is completely in the plug connector (10) (or vice versa), characterized in that the plug connector (10) has locking elements acting on the locking geometry (13) of the plug connector (10) via the locking element (1).in particular a locking lug (12), has