Lever Type Connector Mating Reliability via Integrated Catching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The positional accuracy of preliminary mating between a lever type connector and a mating connector is critical, as low accuracy can result in the protruding axial portion of the lever being out of position, preventing full insertion into the groove portion of the mating connector, leading to failed mating.

Innovation Solution

A lever type connector design that enables both preliminary catching and full catching through pivotally-rotational movement, where the preliminary catching point and full catching point are continuous, allowing accurate mating by ensuring the protruding axial portion can be correctly inserted into the groove portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If preliminary catching is performed at a predetermined location with separate full catching, then connector mating can be achieved, but positional accuracy requirements become excessively high and mating reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemating reliabilityVSAvoidpositional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines preliminary catching and full catching functions into a single integrated lever structure. The lever simultaneously performs both catching operations at different stages of insertion, eliminating the need for separate catching mechanisms and reducing positional accuracy requirements while improving mating reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lever is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple functions: it provides preliminary catching at the initial insertion stage, enables full catching at the final insertion stage, and guides the insertion process. This universal design reduces the number of components and simplifies the mating process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If preliminary catching and full catching are performed at different locations, then connector mating can be achieved, but the protruding axial portion may be out of position preventing proper insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemating easeVSAvoidmating success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lever acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the connector body and the mating connector. It provides a guided insertion path and ensures proper positioning of the protruding axial portion relative to the groove portion, preventing misalignment and ensuring successful mating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lever performs preliminary positioning and guidance actions before the final catching operation. By establishing the correct relative position early in the insertion process, it ensures that the protruding axial portion is properly aligned with the groove portion for successful full catching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20220384993A1Lever Type Connector and Connector System with Lever Type Connector

Publication Date: 2022.12.01 TE CONNECTIVITY JAPAN GK

AI summary

A lever type connector includes a lever pivotally rotatable toward a mating connector. The lever performs both preliminary catching onto the mating connector and full catching onto the mating connector after the preliminary catching.