Elastic Locking Arms for Secure Electrical Connector Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector assemblies face difficulties in conveniently releasing the locking mechanism, making it hard for users to disengage the plug connector from the receptacle connector.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector assembly incorporates a receptacle connector with a housing unit, contact grooves, and elastic locking devices with locking arms that project into the mating cavity, allowing for easy insertion and secure clipping of the plug connector, which can be released by rotating or pulling the plug connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a screw fastening element is used to interengage the plug connector and receptacle connector, then the retaining effect is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in releasing the screw
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw fastening mechanism with a snap-fit locking mechanism featuring elastic locking arms that engage with retaining protrusions. This substitution eliminates the need for tools and complex tightening operations, allowing users to simply push or pull the connectors for engagement and disengagement while maintaining secure retention through the elastic locking arms' engagement with the retaining protrusions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic locking arms are designed to automatically engage with the retaining protrusions upon insertion of the plug connector into the receptacle connector. The locking mechanism self-activates through the insertion motion itself, compressing the elastic arms which then snap into place against the retaining protrusions, eliminating the need for separate fastening actions required by screw mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a screw fastening mechanism is provided, then the connection stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional fastening components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the screw fastening element from the connector assembly, retaining only the essential locking function through simplified elastic locking arms and retaining protrusions. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the core function of secure mechanical engagement and electrical connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: elastic locking arms integrated into the receptacle connector housing and retaining protrusions on the plug connector. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable connection stability through the coordinated interaction of these segmented elements.
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
This design provides a secure and easy-to-operate locking mechanism that ensures reliable electrical connection while allowing effortless disengagement of the connectors, enhancing user convenience and connection stability.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of elastic locking devices are disposed at opposite sides of the mating cavity and each has a pair of locking arms projecting into the mating cavity
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembly includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector. The receptacle connector includes a housing unit defining a mating cavity communicating with an exterior via an insertion opening at a front end thereof. A plurality of contact grooves are defined within the housing unit and extend along a front-to-rear direction. A plurality of contacts are arranged in the contact grooves in a side-by-side manner. A pair of elastic locking devices are disposed at opposite sides of the mating cavity and each has a pair of locking arms projecting into the mating cavity. The locking arms are formed within a common plane which is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. The plug connector is inserted into the mating cavity and clipped by the locking arms so as to realize a better retaining effect.