Electrical Connector Movable Parts Separation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face issues where movable parts fail to separate properly due to frictional forces from tilted signal terminals, leading to potential contact and damage, especially in vibrating environments.
Innovation Solution
The connector design includes a housing with a protrusion and taper that guides movable parts to separate effectively, aided by an urging member, reducing the likelihood of contact with signal terminals by ensuring proper separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the two movable parts are kept in proximity to form a guide hole, then the signal terminal can be guided to the connection terminal, but the frictional force from tilted signal terminals prevents the movable parts from separating
Solution Approach 1:
The guide hole structure is segmented into two movable parts that can separate, allowing the guiding function to be temporary rather than continuous. This segmentation enables the movable parts to form the guide hole during insertion and then separate afterward, resolving the contradiction between maintaining guidance and enabling separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable parts transition from a static guide hole structure to a dynamic system where the parts can move between proximate and separated states. This dynamic configuration allows the guide hole to be formed only when needed during insertion, and then the parts separate to avoid friction interference.
2Ease of operation
If the urging member provides bias force to separate the movable parts, then separation is promoted, but the frictional force from tilted terminals may still exceed the bias force
Solution Approach 1:
The pin acts as an intermediary that directly depresses the movable parts to initiate separation. This intermediary mechanism supplements the urging member's bias force, ensuring that the movable parts can overcome the frictional force from tilted terminals and transition to the separated state reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin applies a preliminary depressive force on the movable parts before the urging member's bias force takes full effect. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the frictional force from tilted terminals, enabling the movable parts to start separating even when the bias force alone is insufficient.
3Reliability
If the movable parts separate completely to avoid contact with signal terminals, then damage risk is reduced, but the signal terminal may not be properly guided during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The movable parts are positioned in proximity to form the guide hole in advance, before the signal terminal is inserted. This preliminary configuration ensures proper alignment and guidance during insertion. After the insertion is complete, the movable parts separate to protect against damage, thus resolving the contradiction between guidance precision and damage protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable parts undergo periodic transitions between proximate (for guidance) and separated (for protection) states. During insertion, they are proximate to provide guidance; after insertion, they separate to prevent damage. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by applying the appropriate configuration at the appropriate time.
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
This design enhances the separation of movable parts, reducing the risk of terminal bending or breakage and improving connector reliability in environments with vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member configured to provide a bias force to the two movable parts in directions separating the two movable parts from each other
Implementation Method 2
a taper that gradually tapers toward the two movable parts... guide the two movable parts in directions separating the two movable parts from each other
Data Source
AI summary
A housing of a lower connector has an opening on a side of an upper connector, and houses two movable parts movably from a first state of, by having upper portions thereof engaged with the opening, being in proximity to each other to form a guide hole, and a second state of, by releasing the engagement, being distanced from an external signal terminal. At positions contactable with the two movable parts, the housing has a protrusion whose tip gradually tapers toward the two movable parts in directions in which the two movable parts face each other. The protrusion guides the two movable parts in mutually separating directions, when the engagement between the opening of the housing and the upper portions of the two movable parts is released associated with depression of the upper connector, and the tip enters the gap through which the two movable parts face each other.