Connector Position Assurance Actuator for Mating Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector systems face challenges in ensuring that connectors are fully mated, as small size and shielded conductors make it difficult to verify complete mating, leading to potential breaks in the conductive pathway and costly errors in complex products like automobiles.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a connector position assurance (CPA) element and actuator system that mechanically blocks or allows movement of the CPA element based on the mating status, providing sensory feedback when the connectors are fully mated, ensuring secure engagement and preventing breaks in the conductive pathway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If connectors are made small with shielded conductors, then miniaturization and shielding are achieved, but verification of complete mating becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a CPA element as an intermediary indicator component that provides visual feedback about mating status. This mediator allows operators to verify complete connector mating without directly observing the hidden conductive pathways, resolving the detection difficulty caused by miniaturization and shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical verification of conductor engagement with a visual indication system. The CPA element translates the mechanical mating status into visual feedback, eliminating the need for complex measurement tools to verify connections in miniaturized connectors.
2Productivity
If connectors are not fully mated, then assembly speed may be maintained, but breaks in conductive pathway occur causing costly errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the CPA element provides real-time visual information about mating completion status. This feedback allows operators to immediately identify incomplete matings and correct them, ensuring conductive pathway integrity while maintaining assembly efficiency through quick visual verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary verification of mating status before final assembly confirmation. The CPA element indicates whether connectors are fully mated before the assembly process is completed, allowing operators to correct issues early and prevent defective assemblies from proceeding.
3Strength
If traditional latch mechanisms are used, then coupling is achieved, but assurance of full mating position is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes visual indication (color changes or position changes of the CPA element) to precisely indicate mating status. This visual signaling system provides precise measurement of mating position without affecting the mechanical coupling strength provided by the latch mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector system is provided that includes an electrical connector having a housing, a connector position assurance (CPA) element, and an actuator. The housing defines a socket that receives a mating connector. The CPA element is slidable relative to the housing between a released position and a locked position. The actuator is mounted on the housing in operable engagement with the CPA element. The actuator is moved from a blocking position to a clearance position as the mating connector is loaded into the socket. The actuator in the blocking position mechanically blocks the CPA element from being moved between the released position and the locked position. The actuator in the clearance position allows the CPA element to be moved between the released position and the locked position. The actuator attains the clearance position responsive to the mating connector being fully loaded in the housing.