Connector Protection Member Partial Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector designs fail to reliably return a protection member to a partial locking position, leading to potential detachment from the male connector during separation.

Innovation Solution

A connector design featuring a protection member with a hooked portion that contacts a hook and a contact portion, allowing for accurate stopping at the partial locking position by deflecting and deforming along inclined slopes, and a stopped portion that interacts with a stopper to restrict escape, ensuring reliable retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the protection member is designed to move automatically when the female connector separates from the male connector, then the protection member can return to the partial locking position, but the protection member cannot be reliably stopped at the partial locking position and may inadvertently be detached from the male connector

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of returning protection member to partial locking positionVSAvoidreliability of stopping protection member at partial locking position

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the contact portion with inclined slope and the resilient arm with claw) that mediates between the moving female connector and the protection member. This intermediary structure ensures reliable stopping at the partial locking position by providing a controlled interaction point that prevents inadvertent detachment while maintaining the automatic return function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection member is designed with a resilient arm that is preliminarily positioned to engage with the male connector. When the female connector moves in the separating direction, the resilient arm is preliminarily deformed and then restores to push the protection member back to the partial locking position, ensuring reliable stopping before complete separation occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the protection member uses a resilient arm with claw to engage the male connector, then the protection member can be held at the partial locking position, but the protection member cannot be reliably returned to the partial locking position after full locking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of holding protection member at partial locking positionVSAvoidreliability of returning protection member to partial locking position

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protection member employs a resilient arm that can dynamically change its state between engaged and disengaged positions. The resilient arm is deformable and can be pushed backward when the female connector moves forward, then automatically restores to push the protection member back to the partial locking position, providing dynamic adaptability for reliable return.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the movement of the female connector provides information about the connection state. When separation is detected, the resilient arm receives feedback through deformation and automatically responds by restoring to push the protection member back to the correct position, ensuring reliable return based on real-time connection status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 connector achieves high reliability in returning the protection member to the partial locking position, preventing inadvertent detachment and ensuring secure engagement with the male connector during separation.

Implementation Method 1

the hooked portion is in contact with the contact portion to be deflected and deformed in a direction separating from the hook

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the resilient arm is deformed resiliently out, the claw is separated from the protrusion, and the protection member can return to the partial locking position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilient recovery: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11081839B2Connector with high reliability of returning a protection member to a partial locking position

Publication Date: 2021.08.03 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A connector has a protection member movable to a partial locking position and a full locking position with a male tab positioned in a receptacle of a male housing. The female housing includes a hook, and the protection member includes a hooked portion capable of contacting the hook at the full locking position. The receptacle includes a contact portion capable of contacting the hooked portion when the protection member is at the partial locking position. The protection member is movable from the full locking position to the partial locking position with the hooked portion held in contact with the hook. The protection member is stoppable at the partial locking position in a state where the hooked portion is in contact with the contact portion to be deflected in a direction separating from the hook.