Connector With Integrated Resilient Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors require a separate spring member to ensure reliable connection while allowing movement, increasing the number of components and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a holder with resilient locking pieces and locks on the housing, allowing movement while maintaining connection without additional components, using a lock releasing mechanism to separate the locking pieces during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate spring member is used to bias the inner housing, then reliable connection is achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient locking piece is integrated directly into the holder structure, combining the housing and spring member functions into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate spring members while maintaining the biasing function, thus reducing component count while preserving connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The holder structure provides its own resilient locking pieces that automatically engage with locks on the housing, eliminating the need for external spring members. The holder serves itself by incorporating the biasing mechanism within its own structure
2Reliability
If the resilient locking piece is exposed, then it can engage with the lock, but it is vulnerable to external matter interference
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient locking piece is nested within the holder structure, positioned inside the peripheral wall. This nested configuration allows the locking piece to engage with external locks while being protected from environmental contaminants by the enclosing holder structure
Solution Approach 2:
The holder with its peripheral wall acts as a protective shell enclosing the resilient locking piece. This shell structure allows the locking mechanism to function while shielding the resilient locking piece from dust, moisture, and other external harmful factors
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
Reduces the number of components by integrating the locking mechanism into the housing, ensuring reliable connection and preventing abnormal noise during movement, while protecting the locking pieces from external interference.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently deflectable resilient locking piece is formed on one of the holder and the first housing
Implementation Method 2
the lock releasing portion resiliently deflects the resilient locking piece to separate the resilient locking piece from the lock
Implementation Method 3
a resiliently deflectable resilient contact piece may be formed on an outer surface of the first housing. The resilient contact piece may be deflected by interference with the stopper
Data Source
AI summary
A connector has a first housing (21) provided movably in a holder (10) and movements thereof are regulated by locking between resilient locking pieces (15) formed on the holder (10) and locks (23) formed on the first housing (21). In the process of assembling a first device (60) and a second device (70), the first housing (21) and a second housing (40) are connected properly and lock releasing portions (47) resiliently deflect the resilient locking pieces (15) to separate the resilient locking pieces (15) from the locks (23). When locking between the resilient locking pieces (15) and the locks (23) is released, the first housing (21) moves with respect to the holder (10) while being kept properly connected to the second housing (40) as assembly of the first and second devices (60, 70) proceeds.