Connector Locking Mechanism With Protrusion Notch Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors, such as the half-fit preventing connector, experience degradation in operation feeling due to the CPA lock riding over the male and female locks, leading to a less-than-ideal fitting experience.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a first housing with a protruding lock part and a second housing with a guide part and notch configuration, allowing the second lock part to ride over the first lock part while avoiding contact with a protrusion, and a fitting detection member that moves from an initial position to a fitting assured position, ensuring proper locking and reduced insertion force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the CPA lock rides over the male beak and female lock in succession, then the fitting assurance function is achieved, but the operation feeling degrades due to the lock parts being caught
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protrusion on the male beak and a corresponding notch on the female lock as intermediary elements. These features act as a mediator between the CPA lock and the lock parts, guiding the CPA lock through the locking sequence without direct contact that would cause catching. The protrusion and notch work together to smooth out the interaction, maintaining both fitting assurance and operational smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the locking interface into distinct functional zones: the male beak with protrusion, the female lock with notch, and the CPA lock. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the protrusion and notch handle the guiding function while the CPA lock handles the locking function, preventing interference and catching between components.
2Force
If the drawing slope surface is formed at the tip of the male beak, then the insertion force of the short circuit release plate is reduced, but the protrusion may cause contact and degradation of operation feeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a protrusion at a specific location on the male beak (on the drawing slope surface) rather than modifying the entire surface. This localized feature provides the necessary guidance function while preserving the overall smooth drawing slope surface that reduces insertion force. The protrusion is strategically positioned to interact only when needed for guiding the CPA lock.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion on the male beak and the corresponding notch on the female lock create an asymmetric interface that provides directional guidance. This asymmetric design ensures that the CPA lock follows the correct path during insertion while the symmetric drawing slope surface continues to provide force reduction in the insertion direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a first housing including a first lock part, a second housing including a second lock part that can be locked to the first lock part, and a fitting detection member that can move from an initial position to a fitting assured position with the second lock part locked to the first lock part and includes a third lock part that can ride over the first lock part and the second lock part in succession along with the movement from the initial position to the fitting assured position to be locked to the second lock part at the fitting assured position. The first lock part includes a drawing slope surface inclining from a protruding tip toward a first lock face and a protrusion protruding from the drawing slope surface. The second lock part includes a notch that can house the protrusion.