Folded-Arm CPA Connector for Shorter Sliding Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors with connector position assurance devices (CPAs) require longer lengths to maintain flexibility, which can lead to increased size and potential damage due to hard warpage when protruding portions interfere with the housing.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates first and second elastic arms with folded-back portions to reduce the sliding length while ensuring flexibility, with the second arm portion folded above or below the first arm to maintain width efficiency, and optional second elastic arms with upward protrusions for a catch structure, allowing the CPA to be shorter without compromising flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elastic arms are made longer to ensure flexibility during warpage, then the flexibility and reliability of the CPA are improved, but the length of the CPA in the sliding direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic arms are configured to extend in the width direction (lateral dimension) rather than solely in the sliding direction (longitudinal dimension). By folding the second arm portion back toward the basal portion and positioning it laterally or above/below the first arm portion, the effective length for flexibility is achieved in the width direction while keeping the sliding direction length reduced. This dimensional reorientation resolves the contradiction between needing long elastic arms for flexibility and needing short CPA length for compactness.
2Length of moving object
If the elastic arms are made shorter to reduce CPA length, then the compactness and width efficiency are improved, but the flexibility and risk of damage during warpage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solution extends the elastic arm structure into the width direction by folding the second arm portion laterally or vertically relative to the first arm portion. This provides sufficient arm length for flexibility and damage resistance during warpage while maintaining a compact profile in the sliding direction, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arm is divided into two distinct portions: a first arm portion extending from the basal portion toward the mating portion, and a second arm portion folded back toward the basal portion. This segmentation allows each portion to contribute differently to the overall function - the first portion provides the necessary length for flexibility while the second portion folds back to reduce the overall sliding length, resolving the contradiction between length and compactness.
3Length of moving object
If the second arm portion is folded back laterally to reduce sliding length, then the length in sliding direction is reduced, but the width of the CPA increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second arm portion can be positioned either laterally (increasing width) or above/below the first arm portion (utilizing vertical space). This provides design flexibility to choose the configuration that best fits the specific application requirements, allowing optimization between width and other parameters based on the mating connector geometry and space constraints.
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 configuration allows for a CPA with reduced length in the sliding direction while maintaining sufficient flexibility and preventing damage, ensuring reliable mating and unmating operations with a narrower profile.
Implementation Method 1
Each of these elastic arms has a protruding portion formed thereon. Moreover, the elastic arms are warped once by causing the protruding portions to interfere with the housing as the CPA slides.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector 10 includes a housing 20 and a CPA 30. The CPA 30 includes a basal portion 60, a pair of right and left first elastic arms 71, and a second elastic arm 75. Each of the first elastic arms 71 includes a first arm portion 72, a second arm portion 73, and a catch protrusion 74. The second elastic arm 75 similarly includes a third arm portion 76, a fourth arm portion 77, and a protruding portion 78. In this way, the first elastic arms 71 and the second elastic arm 75 are shaped to extend from the basal portion 60, be folded back, and return to the basal portion 60. Thus achieved are a CPA 30 and a connector 10 that are short in length while ensuring sufficient flexibility of the first elastic arms 71 and the second elastic arm 75 when the catch protrusion 74 and the protruding portion 78 interfere with the housing 20. The connector including the CPA has a reduced length in a sliding direction while keeping elastic arms sufficiently flexible.