Gear-Driven Connector With Equalized Boosting Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lever-type connectors require an arc-shaped operation space and have uneven boosting effects during fitting and separation, leading to poor operability and unstable force transmission due to different lever ratios and contact angles.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a slide member, transmission gear member, first and second rack gear portions, and a driven gear portion, which allows for equal boosting effects during fitting and separation by reducing operation space and stabilizing operability through gear meshing and shared load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lever-type connector uses a cam groove and cam follower mechanism for boosting, then fitting and separation can be achieved, but the operation space becomes large due to arc-shaped movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional lever-type cam mechanism with a rack and pinion gear system. The rack gear is linearly movable while the pinion gear rotates around a fixed support shaft, substituting the arc-shaped peripheral movement with a linear motion system that achieves the same boosting function with reduced operation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the movement dimension from circular/arc-shaped (peripheral direction around the housing) to linear (along the connector fitting direction). This dimensional transformation allows the operation to occur within a more compact space while maintaining the boosting effect.
2Ease of operation
If a lever-type connector uses different track portions for fitting and separation, then the mechanism can function, but the boosting effects become different leading to unstable operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the gear ratio design where the driven gear portion has a different gear ratio than the main drive gear portion. This asymmetric gear ratio configuration ensures that the boosting effects are equalized during both fitting and separation operations, providing stable and consistent operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the gear ratio parameters of the transmission gear member to achieve equal boosting effects. By carefully selecting the gear ratios of the driven gear portion and main drive gear portion, the system maintains consistent mechanical advantage during both fitting and separation operations.
3Force
If track portions and cam follower are meshed at contact points, then force transmission occurs, but the strength is weak and contact angle varies causing unstable force transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the point-contact cam follower mechanism with a gear meshing system. The rack gear and pinion gear engage through multiple tooth contacts, distributing the force across several contact points simultaneously. This provides stronger and more stable force transmission compared to the single point contact of the cam follower.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear teeth are segmented into multiple discrete contact points along the gear mesh. Instead of relying on a single contact point, the force is distributed across multiple teeth that engage simultaneously, increasing the overall strength and stability of force transmission.
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 connector achieves reduced operation space, improved operability, and stabilized boosting effects by ensuring consistent gear ratios and shared load transmission, enhancing the fitting and separation processes.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission gear member (6) rotatably supported by a support shaft (32) provided on the first housing (3); a first rack gear portion (23) provided on the slide member (2) along the connector fitting direction; a driven gear portion (63) of the transmission gear member (6) rotated by movement of the first rack gear portion (23) in the connector fitting direction
Implementation Method 2
a main drive gear portion (65) of the transmission gear member (6) provided on a side opposite to the driven gear portion (63) with the support shaft (32) interposed therebetween; and a second rack gear portion (53) provided on the second housing (5) along the connector fitting direction, and movable relative to the first housing (3) along the connector fitting direction by rotation of the main drive gear portion (65)
Implementation Method 3
ensuring consistent gear ratios and shared load transmission, enhancing the fitting and separation processes
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a second housing fittable with a first housing, a slide member movable relative to the first housing along a connector fitting direction, a transmission gear member rotatably supported by a support shaft provided on the first housing, a first rack gear portion provided on the slide member along the connector fitting direction, a driven gear portion of the transmission gear member rotated by movement of the first rack gear portion in the connector fitting direction, a main drive gear portion of the transmission gear member provided on a side opposite to the driven gear portion with the support shaft interposed therebetween, and a second rack gear portion provided on the second housing along the connector fitting direction, and movable relative to the first housing along the connector fitting direction by rotation of the main drive gear portion.