Lever-Type Connector Protection Wall Prevents Unintentional Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lever-type connectors often require complex repositioning of the lever during fitting due to unintentional rotation during packing or transportation, complicating the fitting operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a lever-protection wall on the housing that protrudes beyond the lever's outer peripheral end and cam grooves in the lever's side plates, which guide cam bosses on the mating housing, preventing unintentional lever rotation and facilitating smooth fitting by allowing easy rotation to the fitting completion position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lever is left in the temporary locking position during packing or transportation, then the connector can be easily stored and transported, but the lever may be unintentionally rotated to a position deviating from the initial position, complicating the fitting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The lever protection wall is designed to preemptively prevent unintentional rotation of the lever during packing or transportation. By creating a physical barrier that blocks the lever from moving away from the temporary locking position, the design eliminates the need for repositioning operations before fitting, thus maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever protection wall pre-establishes the correct lever position (temporary locking position) as the default state during storage and transport. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the connector is ready for fitting, the lever is already in the correct position, eliminating the need for additional repositioning steps and simplifying the fitting operation.
2Reliability
If the lever protection wall is designed to extend beyond the outer peripheral end of the lever, then the lever is prevented from unintentional rotation, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lever protection wall is merged with the housing structure, forming an integrated component rather than a separate part. This integration achieves the function of preventing lever rotation while avoiding the complexity of additional components, assembly steps, or separate mounting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is segmented to include the lever protection wall as a distinct functional element within the overall housing design. This segmentation allows the protection wall to be designed and manufactured as part of the housing molding process, maintaining structural integrity while avoiding the need for separate complex assembly operations.
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
Prevents unintentional lever rotation, simplifies the fitting process by allowing easy repositioning and secure locking, ensuring reliable connection with reduced insertion force.
Implementation Method 1
cam grooves are provided in the side plates of the lever respectively and are configured to pull cam bosses formed on both outer surfaces of the mating housing thereinto in accordance with a rotation of the lever from the temporary locking position to the fitting completion position
Implementation Method 2
the housing has a lever-protection wall, protruding outward beyond a pivotal outer peripheral end of the lever disposed at the temporary locking position
Data Source
AI summary
A lever-type connector includes a housing configured to be inserted into a mating housing of a mating connector, and a lever that is pivotally operable between a temporary locking position and a fitting completion position. The lever includes a pair of side plates and an operating portion. The housing has a lever-protection wall, protruding outward beyond a pivotal outer peripheral end of the lever disposed at the temporary locking position, the lever-protection wall being provided at an end portion of the housing in a direction opposite to a rotational direction in which the lever rotates from the temporary locking position toward the fitting completion position. The lever disposed at the temporary locking position is arranged so that the operating portion of the lever overlaps the lever-protection wall.