Connector Assembly Sliding Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector assemblies face difficulties in preventing disengagement of plug connectors from socket connectors due to unstable mounting of intermediate members, which obstruct the operator's view and complicate the mating process, especially with long and flexible cables.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector assembly design where an intermediate member with a mountable portion and locking portion is mounted to the socket connector in an open position before mating, allowing easy insertion/removal without obstruction, and then moved to a locked position to prevent disengagement, using a sliding mechanism that allows operational movement between open and locked positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the intermediate member is mounted to the plug connector after mating, then the disengagement prevention function is achieved, but the mounting process becomes complex and the operator's view is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member is mounted to the socket connector before the plug connector is inserted. This preliminary mounting allows the intermediate member to be in place during the mating process, providing disengagement prevention without obstructing the operator's view or complicating the insertion process. The intermediate member remains in a non-interfering position during mating and only engages to prevent disengagement after connection is established.
2Reliability
If the intermediate member is mounted to the plug connector, then disengagement is prevented, but the mounting stability is poor and the member may fall off
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the intermediate member to the plug connector (which has a rectangular parallelepiped configuration with limited mounting surfaces), the invention inverts the mounting approach by attaching the intermediate member to the socket connector. The socket connector provides a stable cylindrical mounting surface with flanges that ensure secure attachment, eliminating the stability issues associated with mounting on the plug connector.
3Reliability
If the intermediate member is large in the connector width direction, then the locking function is effective, but the operator's view of the socket connector is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member is designed to extend primarily in the insertion/removal direction (length direction) rather than in the connector width direction. This dimensional reorientation allows the intermediate member to provide effective locking through its length while minimizing its width, thereby preventing obstruction of the operator's view of the socket connector during the mating process.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembly has a first connector, to which a cable is connected, a second connector, which is mounted to a mounting face of a support member and into/from which the first connector is inserted/removed, and an intermediate member that prevents disengagement of the first connector from the second connector. The intermediate member has a mountable portion mounted directly, or mounted indirectly through an intermediary member, to the second connector, and a locking portion that prevents upward disengagement of the first connector, and, while the mountable portion is mounted to the second connector, the intermediate member is enabled for operational movement relative to the second connector between an open position that allows for the insertion/removal of the first connector into or from the second connector and a locked position in which disengagement of the first connector is prevented by the locking portion.