Lever Connector Pivot Inclination Prevention via Sliding Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lever type connectors often experience pivot inclination during assembly, especially in hard-to-reach locations, leading to insufficient terminal contact due to improper force application.

Innovation Solution

A lever type connector design featuring an elastically deformable temporary locking arm that comes into press-contact with a sliding surface, preventing pivot inclination through elastic forces and maintaining proper alignment, along with a reversible mounting system and identifying portions for correct orientation without affecting fitting or increasing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lever is rotated to fit the housings together, then the housings are drawn close and fitted, but the pivot of the lever may become inclined leading to insufficient terminal contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal contact reliabilityVSAvoidlever operation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding surface acts as an intermediary between the temporary locking arm and the lever pivot. When the temporary locking arm presses against the sliding surface, it provides a guiding constraint that prevents pivot inclination without requiring the operator to precisely control the lever rotation direction. This intermediary contact ensures reliable terminal contact while simplifying the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the lever is mounted in a hard-to-reach position, then the connector can be installed in compact spaces, but the operator cannot apply force in the appropriate direction causing pivot inclination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation position adaptabilityVSAvoidlever force application

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding surface and temporary locking arm mechanism provide self-service guidance during lever operation. The geometric constraint of the sliding surface automatically guides the lever rotation direction, eliminating the need for the operator to precisely control the force direction. This allows the connector to be installed in hard-to-reach positions while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If the temporary locking arm is made elastically deformable, then the pivot inclination is corrected through elastic force, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivot alignment precisionVSAvoidlever structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temporary locking arm utilizes elastic deformation as a parameter change mechanism. By designing the arm with appropriate elasticity, it can temporarily deform during operation and then return to its original shape, providing a self-correcting force that maintains pivot alignment. This approach achieves high manufacturing precision through material property selection rather than complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The design ensures the lever's pivot remains aligned, enhances assembly precision, prevents contamination, and maintains a clean, aesthetically pleasing appearance while allowing for reversible mounting without increasing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

the lever comprises a temporary locking arm which is elastically deformable in a direction away from a surface of the housing, and rotates between the temporary locking position and the final locking position while the temporary locking arm comes into press-contact with a sliding surface which is a part of the surface of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10630025B2Lever type connector that prevents the pivot of the lever from being inclined

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

A lever type connector includes a housing configured to fit to a mating connector and a lever mounted on the housing and configured to draw the mating connector and the housing closer to each other when the lever moves from a temporary locking position to a final locking position. The lever includes a temporary locking arm which is elastically deformable in a direction away from a surface of the housing, and rotates between the temporary locking position and the final locking position while the temporary locking arm comes into press-contact with a sliding surface which is part of the surface of the housing.