Connector Detection via Perpendicular Shorting Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector system faces challenges in securely detecting the engagement of connector housings due to the misalignment of contact points and lock projections, leading to potential short circuits or failure to detect connection/disconnection accurately.
Innovation Solution
The connector system features a shorting member with contact points aligned perpendicular to the fitting direction, a cantilever-shaped design, and an interlocked-deforming mechanism that ensures secure engagement and detection by preventing short circuits when the lock arm is deformed, allowing the shorting member to touch electrodes only when the housings are fully fitted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the contact points and lock projection are arranged at positions shifted along the fitting direction, then the connector housings can be fitted together, but the shorting member may not securely short the electrodes even when locked, or may short them even when not locked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement of contact points and lock projection from being offset along the fitting direction to being arranged along a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. This dimensional change ensures that the shorting member reliably contacts the electrodes only when the lock arm is properly engaged with the lock projection, eliminating false positives or negatives in connection detection.
2Reliability
If the shorting member is slightly deformed into an unexpected shape, then positioning errors occur, but the connector should still securely detect engagement
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging contact points perpendicular to the fitting direction rather than along it, the system becomes less sensitive to deformations and positioning errors in the shorting member. The perpendicular arrangement creates a more robust geometric relationship that maintains reliable electrode contact even when manufacturing tolerances cause slight shape variations.
3Reliability
If the lock arm is deformed, then it may not engage properly with the lock projection, but the shorting member should prevent short breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The shorting member acts as an intermediary element that provides a stable reference for detecting proper engagement. By arranging its contact points perpendicular to the fitting direction, it creates a reliable electrical connection status indicator that is independent of lock arm deformation, allowing the system to accurately detect whether engagement has occurred despite mechanical variations in the lock arm.
Data Source
AI summary
Providing a connector system, which can detect securely connection of connector housings, the connector system includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first connector housing, on an outer surface of which a lock projection and a pair of electrodes are provided. The second connector includes a second connector housing having a main body, a lock arm and a shorting member. The lock arm supported by the main body is engaged with the lock projection. One end portion of the shorting member is mounted on the main body, and the other end is formed like a free end of a cantilever. The other end has a contact point. When the connector housings are fitted together, the contact point and lock projection are arranged in a direction perpendicular to a fitting direction.