Folded Elastic Arm CPA Connector for Compact Mating Assurance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with elastic arms require sufficient length to flexibly warp without being too hard, which can lead to damage if the arms are too short, necessitating an increase in length to maintain flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with first and second elastic arms that are folded back to reduce length in the sliding direction while ensuring flexibility, featuring a basal portion and catch portions that engage with the housing to secure a completely mated state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the elastic arms are made short to reduce the CPA length, then the sliding direction length is reduced, but the elastic arms become too hard to warp and may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic arms are configured in a folded-back arrangement where the second arm portion is positioned above or below the first arm portion rather than extending linearly. This three-dimensional folding allows the elastic arms to achieve sufficient warpath length for flexibility while keeping the overall CPA length in the sliding direction reduced, resolving the contradiction between compact size and elastic arm reliability
2Reliability
If the elastic arms are made long to ensure flexibility, then the elastic arms can warp easily, but the CPA length in sliding direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
By folding the second arm portion back above or below the first arm portion, the design utilizes the vertical dimension to accommodate the elastic arm length needed for flexibility, thereby reducing the horizontal projection length in the sliding direction while maintaining sufficient elastic arm length for reliable warping
3Length of moving object
If the second arm portion is folded back laterally to reduce sliding direction length, then the CPA length is reduced, but the CPA width increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of folding the second arm portion laterally which would increase width, the design folds it in the vertical dimension (above or below the first arm portion), thereby reducing the sliding direction length without significantly increasing the CPA width, optimizing the overall compactness
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 design achieves a connector with reduced length in the sliding direction while maintaining elastic arm flexibility, ensuring a secure and flexible mating assurance mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic arms are warped once by causing the protruding portions to interfere with the housing as the CPA slides
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(C)
AI summary
[Object] To provide a connector including a CPA having a reduced length in a sliding direction while keeping elastic arms sufficiently flexible. [Solution] 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.