Connector Housing Buckle Structure for Safe Pre-Lock Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage interlocking connectors can accidentally mate, leading to safety hazards due to the potential damage and failure of elastic buckles when pushed without separating from pre-locking slots, causing electrical contact and risk of electric shock during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A connector housing design featuring a first buckle device with an elastic cantilever, retaining protrusion, and blocking part that engages with a pre-locking slot to prevent excessive outward movement and potential damage, ensuring the connectors remain in the pre-lock position and include a second elastic buckle for secure final locking, with a safety device to prevent accidental unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elastic buckle is engaged in the pre locking slot to maintain pre lock position, then the connectors are reliably maintained in the pre lock position, but the elastic buckle may be moved outward too much and damaged when the male connector is pushed without separating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blocking part that rests against the inner wall surface of the accommodating cavity to prevent the elastic buckle from moving outward excessively. This blocking part acts as a pre-established protective measure that cushions the elastic buckle against damage when the connector is pushed, while still allowing the elastic buckle to engage with the pre-locking slot to maintain the pre-lock position reliably.
2Ease of operation
If the male connector can be moved between pre lock position and final lock position for easy assembly, then assembly is facilitated, but accidental mating to final lock position can cause high voltage electrification and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the locking mechanism into two distinct positions: pre-lock position and final lock position. The elastic buckle engages with the pre-locking slot to maintain the safe pre-lock position, while a separate mechanism (not fully detailed but implied) allows controlled transition to the final lock position for electrical contact. This segmentation ensures that accidental mating is prevented while still allowing intentional assembly when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic buckle acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls the transition between pre-lock and final lock positions. By engaging with the pre-locking slot, it serves as a mediator that prevents direct accidental mating to the final lock position, while still allowing controlled movement between positions for proper assembly when required.
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 design effectively prevents accidental mating and electrical contact, enhancing safety by maintaining the connectors in the pre-lock position and preventing damage to the elastic buckles, thus reducing the risk of electric shock during assembly and improving the overall safety performance.
Implementation Method 1
The first elastic buckle has an elastic cantilever, a retaining protrusion formed on a free end of the elastic cantilever and engaging with a pre locking slot
Data Source
AI summary
A connector housing includes a housing body and a first buckle device formed on a side of the housing body and inserted into a first accommodating cavity of a first mating buckle device of a mating connector housing. The first buckle device includes a first elastic buckle. The first elastic buckle has an elastic cantilever, a retaining protrusion formed on a free end of the elastic cantilever and engaging with a pre locking slot on a side wall of the first accommodating cavity, and a blocking part resting against an inner wall surface of the side wall of the first accommodating cavity when the retaining protrusion is engaged with the pre locking slot. The blocking part limits the elastic cantilever within the first accommodating cavity.