Connector Structure Metal Plate Spring Backlash Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector structures experience reduced elastic repulsive force over time due to aging, leading to decreased vibration resistance and electrical connection reliability, especially under vehicle vibrations, due to the use of resin-based packing materials.
Innovation Solution
A connector structure incorporating a metal plate spring member and a backlash regulating member with a displacement preventing projection, which compresses and deforms to maintain elastic restoring force, reducing backlash and fine sliding wear between terminals, and utilizing a V-shaped groove and protruding portions for enhanced stability and parallelism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resin-based packing material is used to suppress backlash, then the connector structure achieves initial vibration resistance, but the elastic repulsive force reduces over time due to aging, leading to decreased reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from resin-based packing to a metal plate spring member with spring portions, fundamentally altering the elastic properties. The metal material maintains its elastic repulsive force over time without the aging deterioration that affects resin materials, thus resolving the contradiction between initial vibration resistance and long-term reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining metal plate spring member with spring portions and insulating resin portions. This composite design leverages the superior elastic properties of metal for long-term reliability while using resin for insulation and structural support, achieving both initial vibration resistance and sustained performance
2Ease of operation
If the hood is inserted into the mating hood to achieve fitting, then the connectors are locked, but clearance in the lock mechanism causes fine sliding wear between terminals during vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring member is pre-loaded to apply continuous elastic repulsive force that pushes the mating hood, thereby pre-compen sating for and eliminating clearance in the lock mechanism before vibration occurs. This preliminary action prevents fine sliding wear by maintaining constant contact pressure between locking surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portions are designed to be compressed during fitting, storing elastic energy that is then released to maintain continuous pressure on the mating hood. This preliminary deformation ensures the lock mechanism remains tight and prevents terminal wear during subsequent vibration
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 solution maintains a stable vibration-resistant effect over long-term use by preventing excessive deformation and ensuring consistent elastic repulsive force, thereby enhancing electrical connection reliability and reducing abrasion and oxide insulator issues.
Implementation Method 1
a plate spring member made of metal and accommodated in a tube bottom of the hood... the plate spring member is less likely to creep due to aging... the plate spring member can maintain an elastic repulsive force of the spring portion even in long-term use
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector structure includes a bottomed tubular hood formed in a housing, a mating hood formed in a mating housing and fitted inside the hood, a plate spring member made of metal accommodated in a tube bottom of the hood, a backlash regulating member provided on an opposite side of the tube bottom across the plate spring member and urged in a direction opposite to a fitting direction of the mating hood by the plate spring member, a mating hood tip end surface formed at a tip end of the mating hood in the fitting direction, and a regulating member abutting surface provided on the backlash regulating member and pressed by the mating hood tip end surface in a fitted state that the housing and the mating housing are fitted.