Connector Housing Stopped Portion Pitch Direction Size Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floating connectors tend to have a large size in the pitch direction due to the structure requiring stopped portions that project outward, which limits the size reduction of the movable housing without compromising its movable range.

Innovation Solution

The movable housing is designed with a stopped portion located below the fixed housing's stopping portion, and a receiving recess is recessed inward, allowing the fixed housing to be reduced in size while maintaining the movable range, and the stopped portion is reduced in size while still projecting outward to prevent the movable housing from coming off.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If stopped portions project outward from the movable housing in the pitch direction, then the movable housing is prevented from coming off, but the size of the connector in the pitch direction becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of movable housing coming offVSAvoidsize of connector in pitch direction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the stopped portion from the movable housing to the fixed housing, changing the spatial dimension of the stopping mechanism. Instead of having stopped portions protruding from the sides of the movable housing in the pitch direction, the stopping portions are now formed on the inner surface of the fixed housing, creating a dimensional shift that allows the movable housing to be smaller while maintaining the same prevention function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional design by placing the stopping mechanism on the fixed housing rather than on the movable housing. This inversion allows the stopped portion to be integrated into the fixed housing structure, eliminating the need for additional protruding elements on the movable housing and thereby reducing the overall pitch direction size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Length of moving object

If the size of the fit portion in the pitch direction is reduced, then the connector size is reduced, but the movable range of the movable housing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of fit portion in pitch directionVSAvoidmovable range of movable housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving recess acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the stopped portion and the movable housing. It provides a dedicated space for the stopped portion to engage with, allowing the fit portion to be smaller while maintaining sufficient movable range through the controlled interaction between the stopped portion and receiving recess.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the stopping mechanism by forming a receiving recess with specific dimensions and positioning the stopped portion at an optimal location. This parameter optimization allows the fit portion size to be reduced while maintaining the necessary movable range through precise dimensional control of the stopping features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3633797B1connector
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS IND LTD
  • EP3633797B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3633797B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3633797B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A connector comprises a fixed housing and a movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing. The fixed housing has an end wall, and the movable housing has a regulated portion. The end wall is provided with a stopping portion and a projecting portion projecting inward in a pitch direction (Y-direction). The regulated portion is provided with a reference surface, a stopped portion and a receiving recess. The stopped portion projects outward in the pitch direction beyond the reference surface to be located below the stopping portion, and an upward movement thereof is regulated by the stopping portion. The receiving recess is recessed inward in the pitch direction beyond the reference surface. The receiving recess faces, at least in part, the projecting portion in the pitch direction or receives, at least in part, the projecting portion.