Connector Mating Guide Protects Projection Ends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors face issues where the reinforcing brackets can damage the end of the projection during the mating process due to applied forces, leading to a lack of certainty in maintaining the protected state of the housing.
Innovation Solution
The connector design includes a reinforcing bracket with a central guide part that engages with a middle island, featuring inclined and curved parts to guide and protect the island end, and a bottom part that distributes forces, ensuring the housing remains protected during mating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the second reinforcing bracket is attached to both ends of the second housing, then the mating operation is facilitated, but the end of the projection may be damaged due to applied force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mating guide part as an intermediary component between the reinforcing bracket and the projection. This mating guide part receives the force from the second reinforcing bracket during mating operations and transmits it to the first housing through controlled contact, preventing direct force application to the projection end and thus avoiding damage while facilitating smooth mating
Solution Approach 2:
The mating guide part is pre-positioned on the first housing to guide the insertion process before the reinforcing bracket contacts the projection. This preliminary guidance structure ensures that the mating operation follows a predetermined path, preventing misalignment and concentrated forces that could damage the projection end
2Reliability
If the projection covering part covers the end of the projection, then the projection is protected, but the protected state cannot be maintained with certainty during mating
Solution Approach 1:
The mating guide part serves as a mediator that manages the interaction between the reinforcing bracket and the projection during mating. It provides a controlled interface that allows the reinforcing bracket to apply necessary forces while preventing direct contact with the projection, ensuring both protection and operational certainty
Solution Approach 2:
The mating guide part acts as a cushioning element positioned beforehand to absorb and distribute forces during mating operations. This pre-positioned protective structure prevents concentrated forces from reaching the projection end, maintaining protection certainty while enabling smooth mating
Data Source
AI summary
A connector body includes a recess, a middle island inside the recess, and a mating guide part formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction; a reinforcing metal bracket includes a main body part disposed on the end wall part of the mating guide part, and a central guide part which is connected to the main body part and has a tip which engages with the island end part of the middle island; and the central guide part includes an end wall inner cover part connected to the main body part, an island end cover part which is connected to the tip and covers at least a portion of the island end, and a bottom part which is connected to a lower end of the end wall inner cover part via a first curved part and is connected to a lower end of the island end cover part via a second curved part; wherein a lower surface of the first curved part is positioned above a lower surface of the second curved part.