Lever-Type Connector Regulating Projection Stopper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lever-type connectors lack reliable mechanisms to prevent rotation of levers towards the connection position, leading to potential misalignment and instability during housing connection.
Innovation Solution
A lever-type connector design featuring a resiliently deflectable holding arm with a regulating projection and stopper, where the stopper locks the regulating projection when the main body is displaced in the connecting direction, preventing the lever from rotating to the connection position, and an inclined guiding surface ensures reliable locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a clearance is formed between the temporary locking resilient piece and the main body of the lever to allow resilient deflection, then the lever can be released from the temporarily locked state, but a rotational force in the connecting direction can cause the resilient piece to approach the main body and be strongly pressed against the holding portion, potentially displacing it and enabling unintended rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a regulating resilient piece as an intermediary element between the holding arm and the main body. This resilient piece acts as a mediator that absorbs rotational forces and prevents direct transmission of force that could displace the holding arm, thereby maintaining the reliability of the rotation regulation function while still allowing controlled release operation
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating resilient piece provides beforehand cushioning by being positioned to absorb and mitigate rotational forces before they can reach the holding arm. This cushioning effect prevents the holding arm from being strongly pressed against the holding portion, thereby preventing unintended displacement and maintaining system reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the holding arm is made resiliently deflectable to allow releasing portion to deflect it for separation, then the lever can rotate to the connection position, but the holding arm may be displaced in the hold releasing direction when the main body is displaced, causing unreliable locking
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating resilient piece serves as an intermediary that decouples the displacement of the main body from the holding arm. It absorbs the displacement forces and prevents them from being transmitted to the holding arm, thereby maintaining reliable locking while still allowing the holding arm to be deflectable for controlled release operation
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating resilient piece provides preliminary anti-action by opposing and counteracting the displacement forces applied to the main body before these forces can affect the holding arm. This preliminary resistance prevents unintended displacement of the holding arm and maintains the reliability of the locking function
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 effectively regulates the rotation of the lever, ensuring reliable alignment and connection of housings by preventing unintended rotation, thus enhancing the reliability of the connector's function.
Implementation Method 1
A resiliently deflectable holding arm is formed on the main body and is configured to be locked to the first housing for holding the lever at the initial position
Implementation Method 2
At least one of the regulating projection and the stopper may be formed with a guiding surface inclined with respect to a rotating direction of the lever and configured to guide the regulating projection and the stopper into a locked state
Data Source
AI summary
A lever (30) is supported on a first housing (10) for rotation between an initial position and a connection position. A resiliently deflectable holding arm (35) is formed on a main body (31) of the lever (30) and is configured to be locked to the first housing (10) for holding the lever (30) at the initial position so that the lever (30) does not rotate toward the connection position (connecting direction B). The holding arm (35) is formed with a regulating projection (38). The main body (31) is formed with a stopper (39) configured to regulate a displacement in a hold releasing direction A of separating the holding arm (35) from the first housing (10) by locking the regulating projection (38) when the main body portion (31) is displaced in the connecting direction B with the holding arm (35) locked to the first housing (10).