Lever-Type Connector Blade Unlocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lever-type connectors suffer from poor operability due to the need to relax force pressing the unlocking projection when transitioning from unlocking to rotating, and high frictional resistance when pressing a flat unlocking surface, which hampers efficient and smooth operation.
Innovation Solution
A lever-type connector design featuring a finger contact surface and an adjacent unlocking portion on the outer surface of the rotating portion, where the unlocking portion is in the form of a blade extending along the rotating direction, allowing for efficient unlocking and rotation without relaxing the force, and a finger contact surface with higher frictional resistance to prevent slipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotating surface and unlocking projection are arranged side by side spaced apart in the rotating direction, then the lever can be rotated, but the force pressing the unlocking projection must be relaxed causing the lock to engage again, requiring repeated unlocking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking portion and finger contact surface are merged into a single integrated structure on the outer surface of the rotating portion. This allows the finger to maintain continuous contact with both the unlocking portion (to press it against the resilient lock) and the finger contact surface (to rotate the lever), eliminating the need to relax pressure and repeat operations.
2Ease of operation
If a flat unlocking surface is used, then the structure is simple, but frictional resistance is large making operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking portion is designed with a blade shape that extends along the rotating direction, creating a localized low-friction contact area. This blade-shaped portion has reduced surface area in the pressing direction while maintaining sufficient contact for unlocking, thereby reducing frictional resistance and making the pressing operation easier.
3Ease of operation
If the finger contact surface has high frictional resistance, then the finger is unlikely to slip during rotation, but the unlocking portion becomes harder to press
Solution Approach 1:
The finger contact surface is designed with different friction characteristics than the unlocking portion. The finger contact surface has higher frictional resistance to prevent slipping during rotation, while the blade-shaped unlocking portion has lower friction to facilitate easy pressing. This localized differentiation of surface properties resolves the contradiction between preventing slip and enabling easy pressing.
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
Enhances operational efficiency by allowing seamless transition from unlocking to rotating with reduced frictional resistance, ensuring reliable locking and unlocking mechanisms while maintaining finger contact, thus improving overall operability.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient lock formed on the connector body and configured to lock the lever in a rotation restricted state
Implementation Method 2
The finger contact surface may be a substantially flat surface extending along the rotating direction of the lever. According to this configuration, the finger contact surface has a larger frictional resistance than the blade-shaped unlocking portion and a finger is unlikely to slip.
Data Source
AI summary
A lever-type connector (A) includes a connector body (10). A lever (30) has a base end (32) rotatably supported on the connector body (10) and a rotating portion (34) for rotational operation is formed on a tip (33) of the lever (30). A finger contact surface (59) is disposed on an outer surface (58) of the rotating portion (34) and is configured to receive contact of a finger during a rotational operation. A resilient lock (51) is formed on the connector body (10) and is configured to lock the lever (30) in a rotation restricted state. Unlocking portions (53) are formed on the resilient lock (51) and are configured to press the resilient lock (51) in a direction separating from the lever (30). The unlocking portions (30) are exposed on the outer surface (58) of the lever (30) with the resilient lock (51) and the lever (30) locked together.