Connector Sliding Member Entanglement Prevention

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors with a Connector Position Assurance (CPA) function suffer from sliding members entangling with each other in part feeders during assembly, disrupting the supply and causing assembly issues.

Innovation Solution

The connector design includes sliding members with strategically positioned protrusions that prevent entanglement by reducing the gap between arms, allowing them to pass through the slide channel without interference, thus maintaining the integrity of the assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sliding members have a pair of arms disposed apart from each other, then the sliding member can function as a CPA member that allows users to check engagement completion, but the arms may be entangled with each other within a part feeder, disrupting the supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding member is divided into multiple arms (first arm, second arm, third arm) with specific spatial arrangements. The arms are segmented to perform different functions: the first arm engages with the housing, while the second and third arms work together to prevent entanglement through their protrusions, maintaining both CPA functionality and smooth supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protrusions are added locally at specific positions on the second and third arms. These local structural modifications create interference prevention zones that block entanglement without affecting the overall sliding motion or CPA function. The protrusions are strategically placed to interlock with corresponding structures in the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If protrusions are added to prevent entanglement, then sliding members can pass through the slide channel without interference, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions on the second and third arms are merged into a unified interference prevention mechanism. Rather than adding separate complex components, the protrusions are integrated directly into the existing arm structures, combining the functions of entanglement prevention with the original arm functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to make the arms more flexible or reduce their size to prevent entanglement, the invention inverts the approach by adding rigid protrusions that actively block entanglement. This reverse thinking transforms the problem from reducing arm complexity to strategically adding localized structural features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9935396B2Connector having first and second housings and a sliding member implementing a connector position assurance function

Publication Date: 2018.04.03

AI summary

A connector includes an outer housing, an inner housing to be engaged with the outer housing, and a sliding member. The sliding member includes a first protrusion formed at the leading end part (+Y side) of a first support arm and protruding inwardly (−X-axis direction) that is at a main-arm side, and a second protrusion formed at the leading end part (+Y side) of a second support arm and protruding inwardly (+X-axis direction) that is at the main-arm side.