Connector Position Assurance Member Push-In Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors experience unintended release of connection due to excessive pushing of the connection releasing portion, leading to unlocking of the female and male connectors.
Innovation Solution
A connector position assurance member with a resiliently displaceable lock and a push-in suppressing member is mounted on the housing, which includes an inserting portion and an operating portion to prevent excessive pushing of the connection releasing portion, ensuring the locking portion remains engaged with the mating housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connection releasing portion is pushed excessively when the CPA member is in the connection assurance state, then the CPA lock may be deflected and the connection may be released, but this leads to unintended release of connector connection
Solution Approach 1:
The inserting portion of the push-in suppressing member acts as an intermediary element positioned between the connection releasing portion and the receptacle outer peripheral surface. When the connection releasing portion is pushed, the inserting portion contacts it first to prevent excessive displacement that would deflect the CPA lock. This intermediary structure allows normal release operation while blocking excessive pushing forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The push-in suppressing member is preliminarily positioned in the receptacle at the connection assurance state to preemptively counteract excessive pushing forces. The inserting portion protrudes into the receptacle space to create a physical barrier before excessive force can be applied, thereby preventing the harmful deflection of the CPA lock and unintended connection release.
2Reliability
If the CPA lock is arranged to cover the female-side lock when the CPA member is in the connection assurance state, then the locking is maintained, but excessive pushing of the connection releasing portion can still deflect the CPA lock
Solution Approach 1:
The connector structure is segmented into functional zones: the CPA member with its lock mechanism, the push-in suppressing member with inserting portion, and the lock arm with connection releasing portion. This segmentation allows the push-in suppressing member to independently perform the protective function without requiring fundamental redesign of the CPA lock or locking mechanism, thereby maintaining reliability while adding minimal structural complexity.
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 solution effectively suppresses unintended release of the connector connection by preventing excessive displacement of the locking portion, maintaining the locked state and improving the operability of the connector position assurance member.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently displaceable lock formed to project in a first direction from a first end part of the body
Implementation Method 2
a push-in suppressing member formed to project in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction from a second end part of the body. The push-in suppressing member is arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the receptacle and the connection releasing portion
Data Source
AI summary
A connector position assurance member (60) includes a body (61), a resiliently displaceable lock (70) projecting forward from a front of the body (61) and a push-in suppressing member (80) projecting rearward from a rear of the body (61). The housing (30) includes a receptacle (31) and a lock arm (40) provided on an upper surface of the receptacle (31). The lock arm (40) includes a locking portion (44) to be locked to a projection (102) of a mating housing (100) and a connection releasing portion (45) for displacing the locking portion (44) by being pushed toward an outer peripheral surface of the receptacle (31). With the connector position assurance member (60) at a connection assurance position (CAP), the lock (70) is locked to the locking portion (44) and the push-in suppressing member (80) is between the upper surface of the receptacle (31) and the connection releasing portion (45).