Interlock Connector Housing for Cover Alignment Without Support Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector configurations are complicated due to the need for a support rail to hold the cover-side accommodating portion movably, leading to increased complexity in the cover's configuration.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with a tubular portion having an opening for connection terminals, a cover that inserts into the tubular portion, and an interlock connector for detecting attachment and detachment, featuring flexible wires and housings that allow movement in a plane direction, with a fixing portion to align the cover terminal and first terminals, and a resilient member to prevent vibration-induced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a support rail is added to hold the cover-side accommodating portion movably, then the cover can accommodate movement of detectors, but the configuration of the cover becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The support rail function is extracted from the cover and transferred to the connector housing. The connector housing now includes a holder that movably holds the interlock connector, while the cover only needs to hold the cover terminal and cover detector, significantly simplifying the cover configuration while maintaining the necessary movement accommodation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The holder function is merged into the connector housing structure. The connector housing integrates both the structural support function and the movable holding function for the interlock connector, reducing the need for separate support components in the cover
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 design simplifies the cover configuration by allowing independent movement of housings within the connector, reducing complexity and improving alignment without requiring a support rail, while maintaining electrical connectivity and preventing wear from vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of flexible wires having flexibility, the flexible wires respectively electrically connecting the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals
Implementation Method 2
a resilient member to prevent vibration-induced wear
Data Source
AI summary
A connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises two connection terminals, two electric wires, a connector housing, a cover, and an interlock connector. The cover (70) has a cover terminal (92) and a storage part (91) where the cover terminal (92) is disposed. The interlock connector (200) has two first terminals (210), two second terminals (220), two flexible electric wires (230), a first housing (240), a second housing (250), and a holder (260). The holder (260) holds the first housing (240) and the second housing (250) such that each is movable in the plane direction. Each of the two flexible electric wires (230) has an excess length portion allowing movement of the first housing (240) and the second housing (250) in the plane direction. The connector housing has a fixing part that fixes the holder (260) in the interior of a cylindrical part (31).