Connector Assembly With Redirected Pull Release in Tight Spaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connectors face difficulties in being unplugged from socket connectors within narrow operating spaces, leading to inconvenience and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design featuring a socket connector with inner guide portions and positioning ribs, a plug connector with an elastic arm and redirecting portion, and a pulling member that allows for easy disengagement by redirecting the pulling force, enabling smooth extraction even in confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug connector is mated with the socket connector within a narrow operating space, then the electrical connection is formed, but the plug connector becomes difficult to be unplugged from the socket connector
Solution Approach 1:
The unplugging action is segmented into two independent operations: (1) pulling the pulling member to disengage the buckle portion from the buckle groove via the redirecting portion, and (2) removing the plug body from the socket slot. This segmentation allows the buckling connection to be released first, loosening the constraint before extraction, thereby solving the contradiction between reliable connection and easy unplugging in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The redirecting portion acts as an intermediary mechanism that transforms the pulling direction of the pulling member into a force component that presses the elastic arm to disengage the buckle portion. This intermediary structure enables indirect release of the buckling connection, making unplugging feasible in narrow operating spaces where direct manipulation is difficult
2Device complexity
If a traditional direct-pull unplugging method is used, then the structure is simple, but the unplugging operation cannot be performed in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The redirecting portion changes the dimension of the pulling action by redirecting the force from a lateral pulling direction to a downward pressing direction on the elastic arm. This dimensional transformation allows the unplugging operation to be performed from an accessible direction even when the connector is installed in a narrow space, adding operational freedom without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arm provides dynamic response to the pulling force transmitted through the redirecting portion. When the pulling member is pulled, the elastic arm dynamically deflects and releases the buckle portion from the buckle groove. This dynamic mechanism enables adaptive unplugging operation in narrow spaces while maintaining structural simplicity
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
Enables smooth and efficient unplugging of electrical connectors from socket connectors within narrow spaces by redirecting the pulling force, facilitating easy disengagement and reducing operational challenges.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic arm extending outwards from the plug body, and a buckle portion located on the elastic arm
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a socket connector, a plug connector, a pulling member, and a redirecting portion located at one side of the plug connector. The socket connector includes a socket body, a buckle groove, and positioning ribs located on the socket body. The plug connector includes a plug body pluggably inserted into a socket slot of the socket body, an elastic arm extending from the plug body, and a buckle portion located on the elastic arm. The pulling member is connected to the plug connector, and passes the elastic arm and the redirecting portion to extend outwards from the plug body. When the pulling member is pulled, and the redirecting portion changes a pulling direction of the pulling member, the pulling member presses the elastic arm to disengage the buckle portion from the buckle groove and separate the plug body from the socket slot.