Lever Connector Fixing Structure for Stable Dual Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lever-operated connectors face instability in maintaining a stable fixed state due to variations in lever and lever lock arm dimensions, leading to incorrect terminal contact between connectors, and direct hand operation can interfere with latching, causing incomplete or unstable connections.
Innovation Solution
A fixing structure with a connector, partner connector, and a lever that includes a housing with latching locks and a lever latch section, allowing the lever to change between non-latched and latched states, ensuring stable terminal contact by independent latching mechanisms that prevent hand interference and maintain correct alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lever and lever lock arm dimensions are allowed to vary for ease of manufacture and operation, then manufacturing flexibility and operator comfort are improved, but assembly stability and latching reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is divided into two independent subsystems: the lever latch section (latching the lever) and the latching lock section (latching the lock arm). This segmentation allows each subsystem to independently accommodate dimensional variations while maintaining overall assembly stability, as the failure or variation in one subsystem does not compromise the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs elastic deformation of the lever latch section to compensate for dimensional variations. The elastic element can deform within a certain range to accommodate variations in lever dimensions, maintaining reliable latching without requiring precise dimensional control during manufacturing.
2Device complexity
If the lever operating portion and latching portion are positioned in the same location for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but operator interference and incomplete latching increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by positioning the lever operating portion and latching portion in different spatial dimensions or orientations. The lever is designed such that the operator can access the operating portion from one direction while the latching portion is positioned in a different location that is not accessible to the operator's hand during normal operation, thus preventing unintended interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever latch section acts as an intermediary between the lever and the housing, providing a dedicated latching interface that is spatially separated from the operator's access path. This intermediary structure ensures that the latching function is performed reliably without being interfered with by operator hand movements during lever operation.
3Device complexity
If a single latching mechanism is used for both lever and lock arm, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of maintaining fixed state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is divided into two independent subsystems: the lever latch section (latching the lever) and the latching lock section (latching the lock arm). This segmentation allows each subsystem to independently accommodate dimensional variations while maintaining overall assembly stability, as the failure or variation in one subsystem does not compromise the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual latching mechanism provides a form of redundancy that cushions against potential failures. Even if one latching subsystem experiences dimensional variations or partial failure, the other subsystem continues to maintain the fixed state, providing a safety margin that prevents complete assembly failure.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a housing with a latching lock and a lever latch section which is independent from the latching lock. A partner connector includes a partner housing with a lock section which is latchable by the latching lock. The lever is changeable between a non-latched state and a latched state, wherein when changing the lever from the non-latched state to the latched state, the lever connects the connector to the partner connector so as to cause the connector and the partner connector to approach each other in a forward-rearward direction. The connector is configured to be fixed to the partner connector by the lever being brought into the latched state and by the lock section being brought into a state in which the lock section is latched by the latching lock.