Lever Connector Cover Structure for Engine Vibration Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Engine vibrations cause the connector to vibrate, leading to potential damage of its terminals due to the rotation of the lever, which is not effectively mitigated by existing connector assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a lever and a connector cover, where the lever is elastically coupled to the connector body and features an operation surface that, when pressed by the connector cover, prevents the lever from rotating outward, utilizing an elastic abutment portion to dampen vibrations and prevent terminal damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lever is made rotatable via elastic deformation to enable locking and unlocking, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connector becomes susceptible to vibration-induced rotation and terminal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The connector cover is designed with a vibration prevention protrusion that applies preliminary counter-action to prevent the lever from rotating due to vibrations. The protrusion fits into a groove on the lever, creating a mechanical constraint that opposes vibration-induced rotation before damage can occur, while still allowing intentional rotation when the operation surface is pressed.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is designed with differentiated local properties: the base end portion has an operation surface that is pressable to enable intentional rotation, while the intermediate portion has a groove that receives the vibration prevention protrusion to prevent unintended vibration-induced rotation. This local differentiation allows the same component to serve both operational and protective functions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the connector cover is made of elastic material to absorb vibrations, then the vibration damping is improved, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly uses composite material construction: the connector cover is made of elastic material (such as resin or rubber) to provide vibration damping, while the connector body and lever are made of rigid material (such as metal or hard plastic) to maintain structural strength. This composite approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic connector cover serves as a cushioning element that absorbs vibrations before they can transmit to the connector body and cause damage. The elastic material deforms under vibration forces, dissipating energy and protecting the rigid connector components from excessive stress.
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 solution effectively reduces connector vibration and prevents terminal damage by using an elastic connector cover to absorb and attenuate engine-induced vibrations, ensuring stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable coupling portion integrally coupling an intermediate portion of the lever to the connector body, the coupling portion serving as a rotation center of the lever
Implementation Method 2
the connector cover includes an abutment portion abutted against the operation surface... the abutment portion is made of an elastic material... effectively reduces connector vibration and prevents terminal damage by using an elastic connector cover to absorb and attenuate engine-induced vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a connector, and a connector cover fitted around the connector to cover the connector. The connector includes a connector body extending in an axial direction between a base end portion and a tip end portion, a lever disposed radially outward of the connector body and extending in the axial direction, an elastically deformable coupling portion integrally coupling an intermediate portion of the lever to the connector body, the coupling portion serving as a rotation center of the lever, an engaging portion provided at a tip end portion of the lever and configured to be engaged with a mating connector, and an operation surface provided on a base end portion of the lever and directed radially outward of the connector body in order to rotate the lever. The connector cover includes an abutment portion abutted against the operation surface.