Lever Fitting Connector Triangular Recess for Smooth Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In lever fitting-type connectors used in power circuit cutoff devices, unskilled operators may mistakenly stop the sliding operation at a midway position, leading to incomplete engagement and potential electrical connection issues, especially due to the confusion between the first and second operational clicks during the sliding process.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a triangular recess or protrusion with inclined surfaces in the lever or plug housing, which reduces the reaction force and helps the lever slide smoothly to the end position, preventing erroneous detection of terminal connection by ensuring the contact member separates at the correct position, thus lowering the operational force required for complete sliding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a guide groove and locking hole configuration is used to enable lever sliding operation, then the lever can be inserted and locked into the vehicle-side connector, but unskilled operators may mistakenly stop at a midway position due to confusion between operational clicks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual differentiation through color coding or marking on the lever and housing to indicate the correct insertion depth and final locked position. This helps operators distinguish between intermediate positions and the final engaged position, preventing premature stopping during the sliding operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates tactile feedback mechanisms such as distinct operational clicks or detents that provide clear sensory feedback to the operator. The feedback system is designed to give a unique final click or sensation only when the lever reaches the correct engaged position, eliminating confusion between intermediate and final positions.
2Reliability
If the lever is designed to slide horizontally for engagement, then the signal terminal can be fitted into the female electrode, but high operational force may be required causing difficulty in operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved or cam-shaped surfaces on the lever and corresponding recesses in the housing to create a mechanical advantage during the sliding operation. The curved geometry transforms the operator's input force into a more efficient motion path, reducing the peak force required while ensuring complete engagement and proper alignment of electrical contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamic engagement mechanism where the lever's sliding motion is coupled with rotational or camming action. This dynamic mechanism allows the lever to progressively engage with the housing, distributing the required operational force over the movement sequence rather than requiring high peak force at any single point.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hemispherical protrusions engage with guide grooves to maintain lever position, then the lever can be held in prone state, but the reaction force during sliding creates operational difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hemispherical protrusion and guide groove configuration with cam-shaped or inclined surface geometries. These curved surfaces are designed to gradually guide the lever through the sliding motion, reducing sudden reaction forces while maintaining stable positioning throughout the operation sequence. The cam geometry provides inherent mechanical guidance with optimized force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the engagement surfaces, changing from spherical contact to cam-shaped or inclined plane geometries. This parameter change alters the force interaction characteristics, reducing the peak reaction force during sliding while maintaining adequate stability and guidance throughout the lever's movement range.
Data Source
AI summary
A lever fitting-type connector has a lever and a plug housing, the lever fitting-type connector includes: a contact member and a triangular recess in an inner wall surface of a sidewall of the lever and an outer wall surface of the plug housing. The triangular recess includes: a first inclined surface extending in a direction from the sliding start position toward the sliding end position and inclined in a projecting direction of the contact member; and a second inclined surface extending in a direction from the edge of the first inclined surface on the sliding end position side toward the sliding end position and inclined in a direction opposite to the projecting direction of the contact member. With a sliding direction of the lever as a reference, an inclined angle of the second inclined surface is smaller than an inclined angle of the first inclined surface.