Lever-Lock Connector Assembly to Prevent Mislocking During Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector assemblies in vehicles, such as hybrid and electric cars, face issues with wrong operations due to deformation under large forces and incorrect placement of the lock member, leading to potential disengagement or interference with the fit of the connector housing onto the counterpart housing.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a lever and lock member configuration that allows the connector housing to fit onto the counterpart housing by moving the lever from a first position to a second position, where the lock member regulates the movement of the lever and is either covered or exposed based on the lever's position, preventing wrong operations and ensuring a secure fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock member is engaged with the engaging portion to suppress wrong operations, then wrong operations are suppressed, but deformation under large forces may still lead to wrong operations
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member is designed to be movable along the first axis rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. It can move to a locked position to regulate lever movement and to an unlocked position to allow lever movement, providing adaptive response to operational conditions while maintaining suppression of wrong operations
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into functionally independent components: the lever for fitting operations and the lock member for locking operations. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other, preventing wrong operations while maintaining structural integrity
2Reliability
If the lock member is placed at the locking position without fitting the connector housing onto the counterpart housing, then wrong operations are suppressed, but the connector housing cannot be fit onto the counterpart housing
Solution Approach 1:
The lever must be moved to the second position (fitting completed) before the lock member can be moved to the locked position. This preliminary action sequence ensures that the fitting operation is completed before locking, preventing the scenario where locking occurs before fitting
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fitting operation and the locking operation. It transmits the fitting action and simultaneously controls the availability of the lock member, ensuring that locking can only occur after proper fitting has been achieved
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a connector housing, a lever that is movable relative to the connector housing along a first axis from a first position to a second position, and a lock member that is movable relative to the connector housing from a third position to a fourth position. The connector housing is configured to approach a state of fit to the counterpart housing as the lever moves from the first position to the second position. The lock member regulates a movement of the lever by making contact with the lever located at the second position in a state in which the lock member is located at the fourth position, and the lock member is covered with a lever in a state in which the lever is located at the first position or is exposed from the lever in a state in which the lever is located at the second position.