Connector Restricting Ribs and Grooves for Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors require complex initial posture adjustments for both longer and shorter side directions, complicating the connecting operation and failing to prevent forced connections effectively.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a restricting means with multiple ribs and grooves that engage sequentially, allowing easier initial posture adjustment of the second housing, ensuring correct alignment and preventing forced connections by engaging ribs and grooves in a specific order, thereby simplifying the connecting operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ribs project from both longer and shorter sides of the receptacle to prevent inclination in all directions, then the connector can prevent forced connection in all directions, but the connecting operation becomes more complex and harder to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting means is divided into multiple independent rib-groove pairs (first rib with first groove, second rib with second groove) that engage sequentially. Each pair handles a specific aspect of posture correction, breaking down the complex alignment task into simpler sequential steps that guide the housing into correct orientation while preventing forced connection.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple ribs and grooves are designed to engage simultaneously for precise alignment, then the alignment precision is improved, but the initial posture adjustment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The first rib and first groove are positioned to engage first during the connecting operation, performing a preliminary alignment function. This initial engagement guides the second housing into a preliminary correct posture, after which the second rib and second groove engage to finalize the alignment. This sequential preliminary action simplifies the initial posture adjustment while ensuring precise final alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A restriction (30) is provided for preventing a second housing (20) from being fit in an incorrect oblique posture into a receptacle (12). The restriction includes restricting ribs (31) projecting from an inner surface of the receptacle (12) and restricting grooves (32) formed by recessing an outer surface of the second housing (20). Each restricting rib (31) includes a first rib (31A) extending in a connecting direction and second ribs (31B) located behind the front end of the first rib (31A) in the connecting direction. Each restricting groove (32) includes a first groove (32A) extending in the connecting direction and second grooves (32B) located before the rear end of the first groove (32A) in the connecting direction.