Latch-Mountable Connector Housing With Protective Cover

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric connectors lack reliable confirmation of connection due to exposed metal latches, which can inhibit the clear clicking feel necessary for confirming connection, especially when the connector is held improperly.

Innovation Solution

A latch-mountable connector housing with a cover that encases the latch, featuring grooves and a plate-like cover to prevent finger contact and ensure a consistent clicking feel, along with a resilient latch design that sandwiches the housing to inhibit separation and provide a clear connection confirmation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the metal latch is exposed and not accommodated in the housing, then the structure is simpler, but the clicking feel may not be achieved reliably when the connector is held improperly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidconnection confirmation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latch is nested within the housing structure, specifically accommodated in a dedicated space formed by the cover and side walls. This nesting approach allows the latch to remain protected and properly positioned while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliable connection confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the latch. It prevents direct finger contact with the latch while still allowing the latch to function properly, ensuring that the clicking feel is reliably achieved regardless of how the connector is held or manipulated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the latch is exposed, then easier access for operation, but finger pressing restrains the connecting sound or feel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatch accessVSAvoidclicking feel

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latch is nested within the housing structure, specifically accommodated in a dedicated space formed by the cover and side walls. This nesting approach allows the latch to remain protected and properly positioned while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliable connection confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the latch. It prevents direct finger contact with the latch while still allowing the latch to function properly, ensuring that the clicking feel is reliably achieved regardless of how the connector is held or manipulated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the cover fully encases the latch, then reliable connection confirmation is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection confirmationVSAvoidhousing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latch is nested within the housing structure, specifically accommodated in a dedicated space formed by the cover and side walls. This nesting approach allows the latch to remain protected and properly positioned while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliable connection confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover serves multiple functions: it encases and protects the latch, prevents finger contact, maintains structural integrity, and contributes to the overall housing form. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity while achieving reliable connection confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution ensures reliable connection confirmation regardless of how the connector is held, with a simplified structure that prevents latch pressing by fingers and facilitates easy unlocking, while maintaining a compact design.

Implementation Method 1

The metal latch once having been deformed during the connecting operation of the electric connector tries to resiliently restore its original state. This creates a connecting sound or a connecting feel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7785127B2Latch-mountable connector housing, latch-mountable connector, and electric connecting device

Publication Date: 2010.08.31 JST MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A metal-latch-mountable connector housing 3 includes: a main body 42b; and a metal latch 5 which is capable of resiliently sandwiching a first housing 22 so as to inhibit separation of the main body 42 and the first housing 22 from each other. During a connected state, the metal latch 5 sandwiches the first housing 22 between a pair of support portions 51, and the support portions 51 are respectively latched on a pair of support receivers 26. The metal-latch-mountable connector housing 3 further has a groove 42d for mounting thereon the metal latch 5, and a cover 47 for covering the metal latch 5.