Lever-Type Connector Cam Mechanism for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lever-type connectors require the removal of the lever and moving plate for maintenance, leading to increased workload and structural complexity due to the need for a jig insertion hole, which compromises resin fluidity and shaping properties.
Innovation Solution
A lever-type connector design that allows the removal of the male terminal fitting without detaching the lever, featuring a detachment allowing position for the cam element, an elastic cam plate for locking regulation, and a guide groove for easy deformation, eliminating the need for a jig insertion hole in the front retainer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the lever and moving plate are removed for maintenance, then the male terminal fitting can be accessed, but the workload increases and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into functional modules: the moving plate that can be detached independently, the lever that remains attached, and the male terminal fitting. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access only the necessary component (moving plate) without removing the entire assembly, reducing workload while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving plate is designed with preliminary detachment capability through the cam element mechanism. The cam element allows the moving plate to be released and removed before the lever is detached, enabling maintenance personnel to access the male terminal fitting without the complex process of removing both components.
2Ease of operation
If a jig insertion hole is formed in the moving plate, then the detaching operation can be simplified, but the structure becomes more complex and resin fluidity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jig insertion hole is extracted from the moving plate and relocated to the hood. This extraction eliminates the need for complex internal structures in the moving plate while maintaining the ability to perform detaching operations. The hole in the hood provides access to the lance without compromising the moving plate's structural integrity or resin fluidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood acts as an intermediary structure that provides the jig insertion hole. Instead of creating complexity within the moving plate, the hood serves as the access point for the removing jig, allowing the lance to be actuated while keeping the moving plate structure simple and suitable for resin molding.
3Ease of repair
If a jig insertion hole is formed in the front retainer, then the lance can be accessed, but the structure becomes further complex
Solution Approach 1:
The jig insertion function is extracted from the front retainer and relocated to the hood. This eliminates the need for a separate access hole in the front retainer, as the hood's insertion hole provides sufficient access to the lance. The front retainer maintains its structural integrity without additional openings, reducing overall complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the cam element is locked at the fitting start position, then the moving plate is secured, but the removal operation requires lever detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The cam element provides dynamic locking and unlocking functionality. At the fitting start position, the cam element locks the moving plate securely through the detachment regulating portion. During removal, the lever is swung to a detachment allowing position that releases the cam element's lock, enabling the moving plate to be detached easily without requiring lever removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam element is designed to preliminarily lock the moving plate at the fitting start position, securing it before any removal operations begin. This preliminary locking ensures stability during normal operation, while the detachment allowing position provides a predetermined release mechanism that simplifies the removal process.
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
Enables efficient removal of the male terminal fitting without removing the lever, reducing workload and maintaining structural integrity by avoiding the complexity and fluidity issues associated with jig insertion holes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cam element to be coupled to a mating cam element provided at the mating housing. The mating cam element and the cam element engage to advance a fitting operation between the housings as the lever moves from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position
Implementation Method 2
The cam plate may be deformed elastically to cancel locking between the stopper receiving portion and the stopper
Data Source
AI summary
A lever (11) swings from a fitting start position to a fitting completion position on a housing (10) and has a cam groove (68). In the swinging process, a cam follower (21) of a counterpart housing (14) and cam (55) of a moving plate (13) advance a fitting operation between the housings (10) and (14) to move the moving plate (13) from a moving start position to a moving completion position. A detachment regulating portion (69) locks the cam (55) at the fitting start position to regulate detachment of the moving plate (13) from the hood (26). The lever (11) is swung from the fitting start position in an opposite direction of the fitting completion position, and has a detachment allowing position separating the cam (55) from the detachment regulating portion (69) to allow the moving plate (13) to detach from the hood (26).