EV Connector Separation Mechanism Using Screw Hole
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles are difficult to separate efficiently, requiring improved mechanisms for easy disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A shield connector design featuring a housing member with a fitting part and a fixed part, where the fitting part is fitted to a counterpart connector and the fixed part is secured to a wall surface, utilizing a screw hole for a separation member to apply axial force for easy separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If connectors are fastened by bolt fastening, then connection strength is improved, but separation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into a housing member and a fixed part that can be separated. The housing member contains through holes for fastening bolts, while the fixed part has a screw hole for a separation member. This segmentation allows the connection and separation functions to be independently operated through different mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
A separation member is introduced as an intermediary tool to facilitate separation. The separation member is screwed into the screw hole of the fixed part and applies axial force to push the housing member away from the counterpart connector, enabling easy separation without directly overcoming the fastening bolt resistance.
2Ease of operation
If dedicated separation members are used, then separation ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening bolt serves multiple functions: it acts as both a fastening member to secure the connector during installation and as a separation member when needed. By removing the fastening bolt and inserting it into the screw hole, it transforms into a separation tool that applies axial force, eliminating the need for a dedicated separation member and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening bolt is designed to be reusable for both fastening and separation operations. After removing the bolt from the through hole, it can be directly inserted into the screw hole to perform separation, allowing the same component to serve multiple functions throughout the connector's lifecycle.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A connector (1) includes a housing member (30) having a fitting part (10a) that houses a terminal (TM) and is fitted to a counterpart connector (101) provided in a connection target (100) and a fixed part (20sb) that is fixed to a fixed wall surface (100a) of the connection target (100) together with the fitting part (10a) in the state in which the fitting part (10a) has been fitted to the counterpart connector (101). The fixed part (20sb) has through holes (22), which communicate with fastening holes (110b) formed in the fixed wall surface (100a) along a fitting direction between the fitting part (10a) and the counterpart connector (101) and into which fastening bolts (40) fastened to the fastening holes (110b) are inserted along the fitting direction, in the state in which the fitting part (10a) has been fitted to the counterpart connector (101), and a screw hole (23) into which a separation member (50) is screwed.