Connector Unit Marking and Rotation Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector units with grooves on the outer surface of male connectors make it difficult to determine the correct assembly direction, leading to potential damage of male terminals during connection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a cylinder side marking portion with a flat surface and a cylinder side rotation restricting portion, including grooves or projections, on the male connector, and a corresponding tube side marking portion and tube side rotation restricting portion on the female connector, to facilitate proper alignment and prevent relative rotation during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If grooves are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the male connector for positioning, then the male connector and female connector can be positioned relative to each other, but it becomes difficult to recognize the assembling direction and the male terminals may be damaged due to improper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual marking principles by creating distinct flat surfaces on the cylindrical proximal portion that are perceptible during assembly. These markings serve as visual guides to indicate the correct assembling direction, allowing users to easily recognize and align the connectors properly before insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric features including a flat surface and a groove portion on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical proximal portion. These asymmetric markings break the rotational symmetry, providing clear visual and tactile cues for correct orientation and preventing improper assembly through intuitive alignment guidance.
2Productivity
If the male connector is fitted in the female connector without proper alignment, then assembly can proceed quickly, but the male terminals are brought into abutment with the cylindrical proximal portion resulting in potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary protective measures by providing visual markings (flat surface and groove portion) before the assembly action occurs. These markings prevent improper alignment from happening in the first place by guiding correct orientation, thereby protecting the male terminals from damage while maintaining efficient assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary alignment guidance through visual markings that indicate the correct assembling direction before the actual connection occurs. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning is achieved intuitively, preventing terminal damage while enabling quick and reliable assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector unit has a male connector that includes a cylindrical proximal portion in which a female terminal is accommodated, and a female connector that includes a tubular proximal portion in which a male terminal is held. The cylindrical proximal portion has a cylinder side marking portion including a flat surface formed on a part of an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a cylinder side rotation restricting portion including a groove portion or a projecting portion formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof. The tubular proximal portion has a tube side marking portion including a flat surface formed on an inner surface circumferential surface of the tubular proximal portion, and a tube side rotation restricting portion including a projecting portion projected from the inner circumferential surface or a groove portion formed in the inner circumferential surface.