Connector Latch Safety Structure Against Finger-Triggered Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector systems face safety issues due to accidental unlocking of elastic latches caused by misoperation, as the latch safety mechanism can be inadvertently reset to the initial position by finger contact, leading to reduced safety and potential disconnection of electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a latch safety mechanism with a guide slot and sliding plate that prevents finger contact and requires a tool for resetting, ensuring the latch safety can only be moved from the safety position to the pre-locking position using a tool, thereby preventing accidental resets and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the latch safety mechanism is made accessible for finger operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to accidental resets
Solution Approach 1:
A tool-operable slot is introduced as an intermediary interface between the operator and the latch safety mechanism. This slot allows only specialized tools to reset the latch safety, blocking direct finger access while maintaining controlled operability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The surface of the sliding plate is modified with different local properties: a smooth outer surface that resists finger contact, and a localized slot that accepts tool insertion. This creates differentiated zones with different operational characteristics
2Reliability
If the sliding plate outer surface is made smooth, then the reliability is improved by preventing accidental finger contact, but the ease of operation worsens as tool insertion becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding plate features a smooth outer surface for reliability (preventing accidental contact) combined with a localized slot feature for controlled access. This local differentiation allows the majority of the surface to be finger-resistant while maintaining operational capability through the slot
3Reliability
If the guide slot is designed to block finger access, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural features
Solution Approach 1:
The guide slot is segmented into distinct functional zones: a blocked section that prevents finger access to the sliding plate, and an open slot section that allows tool insertion. This segmentation achieves reliability while maintaining relatively simple overall structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a connector and a connector assembly. The connector has a housing and a latch safety. The latch safety is slidably mounted on the housing and adapted to move between a safety position to prevent the mating connector from being unlocked and a pre-locking position to allow the mating connector to be unlocked. A guide slot is formed on an outer wall of the connector and surrounded by a first end wall and a second end wall spaced from each other in a circumferential direction of the housing and two side walls spaced from each other in an axial direction of the housing. The latch safety has a sliding plate slidably installed in the guide slot, and the sliding plate has a first end and a second end spaced from each other in the circumferential direction and a front and rear sides spaced from each other in the axial direction. When the latch safety is moved to the safety position along the guide slot, the end face of the first end of the sliding plate abuts against the first end wall of the guide slot, so that a human finger cannot contact the end face of the first end of the sliding plate. Therefore, the risk of accidental reset of the latch safety due to misoperation can be avoided, and the use safety is improved.