Electrical Connector Sound Path for Clear Mating Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors often muffle the mating sound, making it difficult for operators to confirm proper connection due to design features that can be obstructed by fingers or closed spaces, leading to potential misalignment or incomplete mating.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sound path with an open end outside the enclosure and a partition wall that directs the mating sound outward, enhancing sound emission and ensuring the operator can hear the mating sound clearly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a void or space is provided behind the wall face to amplify the mating sound, then the mating sound can be made louder through resonance or echo, but the opening portion of the space may be closed by the female connector or operator's finger, muffling the sound
Solution Approach 1:
The internal cavity is segmented into two functional zones: a resonance cavity for sound amplification and a separate sound transmission path with a guaranteed opening to the external environment. This segmentation ensures that the sound amplification function and sound transmission function are independent, so closing of the transmission path opening does not affect the resonance function.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated sound transmission path acts as an intermediary channel between the resonance cavity and the external environment. This intermediary structure ensures reliable sound transmission by providing a protected opening that cannot be easily blocked by the female connector or operator's finger, while still allowing the resonance cavity to function properly.
2Strength
If the opening portion of the sound amplification space is closed to maintain structural integrity, then the structure becomes more robust, but the mating sound becomes muffled and difficult to hear
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is segmented into load-bearing walls that maintain structural integrity and a dedicated sound transmission path that provides acoustic functionality. The sound transmission path is designed as a separate structural element with its own opening, allowing the main housing walls to remain closed and strong while still enabling sound transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound transmission path utilizes a different spatial dimension or orientation compared to the main housing structure. By creating a dedicated acoustic channel that extends to the external environment through a different dimensional path, the design allows sound transmission without compromising the structural closure and strength of the main housing.
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
The sound path design ensures the mating sound is not muffled, allowing operators to easily verify proper connection without obstruction, improving mating accuracy and reducing errors.
Implementation Method 1
a sound path adjacent to the receiving region... the sound path includes an opened end on a first end... the partition wall is provided with a hitting region hit by an element of the mating electrical connector... producing a loud hitting sound
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector is provided including a housing retaining a plurality of terminals. The housing is mated with a mating electrical connector along a mating direction. The housing includes a receiving region receiving the mating electrical connector, a sound path adjacent to the receiving region, and a partition wall dividing the receiving region and the sound path from each other. The sound path includes an open end on a first end and a closed end on a second end along the mating direction.