Lever-Type Connector Escaping Space Cam Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In lever-type connectors, when the lever is rotated between the initial and connection positions with the housings separated, the moving plate moves to the back of the receptacle, exposing the tabs and risking interference from external matters.
Innovation Solution
A lever-type connector design with a separating cam surface and an escaping space, where the cam projection is moved to the protection position when the lever is rotated from the connection to the initial position, and vice versa, to prevent the moving plate from exposing the tabs during separation and connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lever is rotated between the initial position and the connection position with the housings separated, then the lever can be operated freely, but the moving plate moves to the back of the receptacle causing the tabs to be exposed and vulnerable to external interference
Solution Approach 1:
The escaping space is pre-formed in the lever at a position distant from the center of rotation. Before the lever rotation begins, the cam projection is positioned to enter this escaping space during the rotation process, ensuring that the moving plate is pushed to the protection position in advance, preventing external interference with the tabs before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam projection acts as an intermediary element between the lever and the moving plate. When the lever is rotated, the cam projection engages with the cam groove and pushes the moving plate via the cam projection's interaction with the escaping space, thereby indirectly controlling the moving plate's position to protect the tabs from external interference while allowing free lever operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cam projection is pressed by the separating cam surface to move the moving plate to the protection position, then the tabs are protected from external interference, but the lever structure becomes more complex with the addition of the escaping space
Solution Approach 1:
The escaping space serves multiple functions: it guides the cam projection during lever rotation, pushes the moving plate to the protection position, and maintains the moving plate's position during lever operation. By making the escaping space multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate complex mechanisms while still protecting the tabs from external interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The escaping space is merged with the lever structure rather than being a separate component. The cam groove and escaping space are integrated into the lever body, combining the functions of guiding the cam projection and protecting the tabs into a single unified structure, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired protection.
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 moving plate is reliably held at the protection position, preventing external interference and ensuring secure operation of the connector by maintaining the tabs in a safe position during both connection and separation processes.
Implementation Method 1
the separating cam surface presses the cam projection in a direction away from the center of rotation of the lever to move the moving plate from the retracted position to the protection position
Implementation Method 2
the cam projection is accommodated into the escaping space while being separated from the separating cam surface in the process of rotating the lever from the initial position to the connection position
Data Source
AI summary
A lever (24) is formed with a separating cam surface (30) and an escaping space (31) disposed in a region more distant from a rotary shaft (13) than the separating cam surface (30). The separating cam surface (30) presses cam projections (23) of a moving plate (18) in a direction away from the rotary shaft (13) to separate both housings (10, 40) in the process of rotating the lever (24) to an initial position with the both housings (10, 40) connected. The cam projections (23) are accommodated into the escaping space (31) while being separated from the separating cam surface (30) in the process of rotating the lever (24) from the initial position to a connection position with the both housings (10, 40) separated and the moving plate (18) located at a protection position.