Connector Moving Plate Locking Recess Miniaturization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors face challenges in miniaturization and sealing integrity due to the need for radial enlargement and potential damage to sealing members during connection, which compromises the watertightness and operational reliability.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a moving plate with a locking projection and a recessed sealing surface on the female connector, allowing the moving plate to return to a protecting position without enlarging the connector's radial dimension, and ensuring the sealing member is not damaged by positioning the locking projection on the side surface of the recess, thus maintaining watertightness and miniaturization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the sealing member is mounted in the receptacle rather than in the female connector housing, then the female connector can be smaller in the radial direction, but a projection is needed to return the moving plate to the initial position which enlarges the female connector housing in the radial direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial size of female connectorVSAvoidmoving plate return function

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing member mounting function and the moving plate return function into a single integrated recess structure on the female connector housing. The recess serves dual purposes: it provides the mounting location for the sealing member within the receptacle, and its side surface provides the locking surface for the locking projection to return the moving plate to the initial position. This eliminates the need for separate projections that would enlarge the radial size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The recess structure is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs sealing, positioning, and moving plate return functions. By making the recess serve multiple purposes, the patent avoids adding extra radial dimensions while maintaining all necessary operational functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If the sealing member is mounted in the receptacle, then the female connector can be smaller in the radial direction, but the projection may interfere with the sealing member and damage it during connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial size of female connectorVSAvoidsealing member integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sealing member mounting function and the moving plate return function into a single integrated recess structure on the female connector housing. The recess serves dual purposes: it provides the mounting location for the sealing member within the receptacle, and its side surface provides the locking surface for the locking projection to return the moving plate to the initial position. This eliminates the need for separate projections that would enlarge the radial size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a projection extending outward to return the moving plate (which would interfere with the sealing member), the patent inverts the approach by using a recessed structure. The locking projection on the moving plate engages with the side surface of the recess, allowing the return function to be achieved without any outward-protruding elements that could damage the sealing member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If a projection is provided on the outer surface of the female connector housing to return the moving plate, then the moving plate can be returned to the initial position, but the female connector housing is enlarged in the radial direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoving plate return functionVSAvoidradial size of female connector

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration ensures reliable watertight sealing and proper operation of the moving plate while minimizing the female connector's radial size, preventing damage to the sealing member and enhancing the configuration flexibility of the connector's components.

Implementation Method 1

The moving plate can return to the initial position when separating the connectors due to a friction force between the sealing member and the moving plate.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10826222B2Connector

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A moving plate (14) is movable in a fitting space (28) of a receptacle (25) between a protecting position and a retracted position. A sealing member (16) is closer to an opening than the moving plate (14) and closely contacts the inner surface of the receptacle (25). The moving plate (14) has arms (64) including inward projecting locking projections (66). A female housing (102) fits into the fitting space (28) of the receptacle (25) and includes a sealing surface (116) and recesses (112) on an outer surface. The sealing surface (116) contacts the inner surface of the sealing member (16) during connection to a male connector (10). The recesses (112) are recessed on a more forward side than the sealing surface (116) in a fitting direction into the fitting space (28), and locking projections (66) are locked to side surfaces of the recesses during separation from the male connector.