Lever Connector Flexible Locking Portion Hole Edge Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lever connectors face difficulties in detecting the partial fitted state due to a reduced interference degree between the interference portion and the hole edge when the lever approaches horizontally, leading to size increases when attempting to enhance detection.
Innovation Solution
A lever connector design featuring a flange portion with a flexible locking portion that abuts the hole edge only in the partial fitted state, eliminating the need for an interference portion on the lever's side surface, thus maintaining a compact size while ensuring accurate state detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the interference portion is formed on the side surface located at the rear surface side in the rotation direction of the lever, then the lever connector can detect the fitted state of connectors, but the degree of interference becomes small when the lever approaches horizontal direction, making it difficult to detect the partial fitted state
Solution Approach 1:
The interference portion is repositioned from the rear surface side to the front surface side of the male connector, changing its spatial dimension relative to the lever rotation path. This dimensional change ensures the interference portion maintains consistent contact with the hole edge throughout the lever's rotation range, enabling reliable detection of partial fitted states regardless of lever orientation.
2Measurement precision
If the interference portion is extended outward with respect to the rotation direction of the lever to improve detection, then the detection of partial fitted state is improved, but the lever connector has a large size
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is extracted from the lever itself and transferred to the interference portion on the male connector. By making the interference portion protrude from the front surface, the system achieves effective detection without requiring the lever or its components to be extended, thus avoiding size increase while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If the interference portion is positioned to ensure constant interference with the hole edge, then the partial fitted state can be reliably detected, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The interference portion serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical interference with the hole edge for detection purposes, maintains structural integrity of the male connector, and enables both partial and complete fitted state detection through its strategic positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall structure while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A lever connector includes a female connector, a male connector and a lever. The female connector includes a frame having a flange portion protruding toward a straight direction perpendicular to a direction in which the female connector and the male connector are to be fitted with each other. The flange portion includes a locking portion with flexibility. The lever includes a locked portion locked with the locking portion in a normal fitted state. The locking portion does not abut on a hole edge of an attachment hole formed on a panel in a state where the locked portion is locked with the locking portion, and abuts on the hole edge of the attachment hole in a state where the locked portion is not locked with the locking portion.