Connector Press-Fit Rib Structure for Stable Housing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face instability in the assembling state due to stress on guide rails when the housing is fitted or separated, potentially damaging the proximal ends and compromising the assembly's strength.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a press-fit groove in one component and a rib in the other, extending along the fitting direction, which are press-fitted together to absorb forces without applying stress to the rib's proximal end, ensuring a stable assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If guide rails are used to receive force during housing fitting or separation, then the force can be received by a mutually engaged part, but stresses are applied to the proximal ends of the guide rails which may damage them and destabilize the assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The force reception function is segmented from the guide rail structure. Instead of relying on the guide rail's proximal end to receive force, the invention introduces a separate pressing member that distributes the force along the guide rail's length through multiple contact points, effectively segmenting the stress distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The force application is transitioned from a point contact at the proximal end to a distributed contact along the guide rail's length. The pressing member engages with the guide rail at multiple positions, changing the dimension of force application from zero-dimensional (point) to one-dimensional (along the length), thereby reducing stress concentration.
2Reliability
If guide rails extend in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, then force can be received by engaged parts, but the proximal ends of the guide rails may be damaged by applied stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member acts as a cushioning element that is introduced before the harmful stress reaches the guide rail's proximal end. By engaging the guide rail at multiple points along its length, the pressing member预先 (in advance) distributes and reduces the stress that would otherwise concentrate at the vulnerable proximal end.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member serves as an intermediary element between the housing and the guide rail. Instead of the housing directly applying force to the guide rail's proximal end, the pressing member mediates this interaction by distributing the force along the guide rail's length, protecting the proximal end from direct stress damage.
3Strength
If the housing and assembling member have weak strength, then the proximal ends of the guide rails may be damaged by stresses, but increasing strength may increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is designed to utilize the existing structural elements of the housing and guide rails to create its own engagement features. By forming the pressing member as an integrated component that leverages the existing geometry, the design achieves enhanced strength without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes: a housing fittable to a mating housing; and an assembling member assembled to the housing via an assembling portion. The assembling portion includes: a press-fit groove arranged in one of the housing and the assembling member and extending along a fitting direction of the housing; and a rib arranged at the other of the housing and the assembling member, extending in the fitting direction of the housing, and press-fitted into the press-fit groove.