Female Connector Slider Indication for Secure Lock Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing female connectors for connecting with male connectors or pipes lack a simple and effective mechanism for indicating secure connection, which can lead to incorrect assembly and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
The female connector incorporates an indicating slider that slides into a channel and reaches an indicating position when the male connector is securely in place, allowing for easy visual confirmation of the connection status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional female connector without indication mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of connection status confirmation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating slider provides visual feedback to the operator about the connection status. When the male connector is properly inserted, the retaining flange pushes the indicating slider to display a locked position, confirming secure connection. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by reliably indicating connection status without requiring complex electronic or mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicating slider acts as an intermediary element between the retaining flange and the operator. It translates the mechanical state of the connection (secured or not secured) into a visible indication, allowing reliable status confirmation while keeping the overall connector structure relatively simple.
2Ease of operation
If an indicating mechanism is added to show secure connection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual feedback provided by the indicating slider allows operators to immediately verify connection status without additional tools or complex procedures. The slider's position clearly indicates whether the male connector is securely locked, improving ease of operation while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicating slider may utilize color changes or visual contrasts to communicate connection status. Different colors or visual states of the slider provide intuitive information about whether the connection is secure, enhancing ease of operation without adding mechanical complexity.
3Reliability
If the indicating slider is retained in initial position by retaining structures, then the reliability of the indicating mechanism is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining structures are segmented into discrete components such as retaining ribs and protrusions that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be produced using standard manufacturing processes, improving ease of manufacture while ensuring reliable retention of the indicating slider in its initial position.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining structures are designed to automatically engage and retain the indicating slider in its initial position without requiring additional assembly steps or external tools. The protrusion of the slider fits into the retaining ribs through simple insertion, allowing the structure to self-assemble and ensuring reliable positioning while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a female connector for receiving and being secured with a male connector. The female connector comprises a housing and an indicating slider. The housing defines therein a channel extending in an axial direction and is provided with an opening extending in the axial direction. The indicating slider is slidably connected to the housing and configured to be slidable in the axial direction. The indicating slider extends from the opening into the channel of the housing, and is configured to be capable of sliding under the push of a retaining flange of the male connector when the female connector receives the male connector through the channel, and to reach an indicating position when the male connector is secured in place in the female connector.