Connector Assembly Moving Plate Resilient Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies face issues with the moving plate reliably returning to its initial position without reducing connection operability, as it may get caught by initial position holding projections, leading to deformation and failure to return.
Innovation Solution
The connector assembly features resiliently deformable locking pieces on the moving plate that project parallel to its movement direction, with locks in the female housing that allow the plate to be pulled back to the initial position by interfering with initial position holding projections, and the moving plate can curve to increase locking margins, ensuring reliable return without wave-like deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking margin between the wall and female housing is increased to prevent the moving plate from getting caught, then the reliability of returning to initial position is improved, but the resistance in moving the moving plate from initial position to connection position increases, reducing connection operability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the positioning function into two separate components: initial position holding projections on the receptacle wall and resilient locking pieces on the moving plate. This segmentation allows each component to specialize - the holding projections prevent accidental dropping while the locking pieces provide reliable return through elastic deformation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and operability
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient locking pieces utilize elastic deformation parameter changes to dynamically adjust the locking margin. When the moving plate needs to return to initial position, the locking pieces deform elastically to increase the effective locking margin, ensuring reliable return without requiring a permanently large margin that would hinder connection operability
2Reliability
If resilient locking pieces are positioned closer to end sides than initial position holding projections, then the locking margin increases when moving plate curves, but the positioning precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs asymmetric positioning where resilient locking pieces are deliberately placed closer to end sides than the initial position holding projections. This asymmetric arrangement creates a mechanical advantage that amplifies the curving effect and locking margin while the symmetrical arrangement of corresponding components maintains overall positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the curving deformation of the moving plate as a functional mechanism. When the moving plate curves during operation, the resilient locking pieces positioned closer to ends experience greater angular displacement, which increases the locking margin with the female housing without compromising the symmetrical positioning precision
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 the moving plate returns to the initial position effectively while maintaining high connection operability by reducing resistance and increasing locking margins, preventing disengagement during the return process.
Implementation Method 1
The moving plate can curve and deform resiliently to incline a projecting direction of the resilient locking pieces
Data Source
AI summary
A male housing of a connector assembly has moving plate (30) with a pair of resilient locking pieces (34) that can be curved resiliently and deformed to incline a projecting direction of the resilient locking pieces (34). A female housing (50) causes the moving plate (30) to interfere with initial position holding projections (18) and pulls the moving plate (30) back to an initial position by locking with locking portions (55) to the resilient locking pieces (34). The initial position holding projections (18) are paired and spaced apart in the same direction as a separating direction of the resilient locking pieces (34) and are arranged at positions different from the resilient locking pieces (34) in the separating direction of the resilient locking pieces (34).