Lever-Fitting Connector Guide Rib Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lever-fitting-type connectors often require a large insertion force due to male connector inclination during the rotating operation, leading to potential hitting issues during the fitting process.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fitting guide portion with a guide rib and rib guide groove between the male connector housing and the hood, which guides the male connector in a normal fitting direction, reducing insertion force and preventing inclination and hitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lever is rotated to fit the male connector into the female connector, then the connectors are connected, but the male connector inclines causing large insertion force and hitting
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rib and rib guide groove are provided in advance to pre-align the male connector with the female connector before the actual fitting operation. This preliminary guiding action prevents inclination during the lever rotation process, allowing smooth insertion without excessive force or hitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rib acts as an intermediary element between the male connector housing and the hood. It mediates the fitting process by providing a guided path through the rib guide groove, ensuring the male connector moves in the correct direction and preventing inclination during connection.
2Reliability
If the male connector is inserted without guidance, then the insertion process is simple, but the male connector inclines and causes hitting
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting guidance function is segmented from the main connector bodies and implemented as a separate guide rib structure. This segmentation allows the guide rib to be independently designed and positioned to provide precise guidance without complicating the overall connector structure. The guide rib works with the rib guide groove to create a dedicated guidance path.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rib is provided locally at the specific position where guidance is needed - between the male connector housing and the hood. This local quality approach adds guidance functionality only where necessary, rather than redesigning the entire connector structure, thus maintaining simplicity while improving fitting smoothness.
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting guide portion is provided between a male connector housing and a hood, and guides a male connector in a normal fitting direction with respect to a female connector in response to a load in a direction inclined with respect to the female connector and applied to the male connector by a rotating operation of a lever. The fitting guide portion includes a guide rib provided in one of inner walls of the male connector and the hood and a rib guide groove provided in the other of the inner walls and for the guide rib to be inserted.