Lever-Type Connector Posture Regulation via Regulating Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lever-type connectors experience increased connection resistance due to posture inclination between male and female housings during connection, caused by clearance between the housings, which leads to increased sliding resistance and contact resistance between terminal fittings.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a regulating protrusion on the inner surface of the receptacle's outer regulating wall and a tip outer edge of the terminal accommodating portion to contact and stabilize the housings' posture, reducing inclination and contact resistance, while a ring-shaped seal provides additional positioning and sealing functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a clearance is secured between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular fitting and the outer peripheral surface of the receptacle to make the connecting operation smooth, then the ease of operation is improved, but posture inclination occurs between the two housings due to this clearance
Solution Approach 1:
A regulating protrusion is introduced as an intermediary element between the receptacle and terminal accommodating portion. This protrusion mediates the interaction between the two components, providing posture regulation while preserving the necessary clearance for smooth connection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating protrusion creates a localized contact point on the receptacle that provides precise posture control. Instead of requiring uniform tight fitting throughout the entire interface, the local quality of the protrusion provides the necessary stabilization while maintaining overall clearance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the accommodating portion of the tubular fitting and the facing wall of the receptacle are brought into contact to regulate posture, then the posture inclination is suppressed, but the connecting operation becomes rough
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating protrusion serves as a mediator that provides posture regulation without requiring direct contact between the accommodating portion and facing wall. This intermediary element enables posture control while maintaining the clearance necessary for smooth operation.
3Reliability
If the tip outer edge of the terminal accommodating portion and the regulating protrusion are brought into contact before the outer surface of the facing wall contacts the accommodating portion, then posture inclination is suppressed before contact resistance is maximized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating protrusion provides localized posture control at a specific point on the receptacle. This local quality approach achieves reliable posture suppression without requiring complex multi-point regulation mechanisms throughout the entire connector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating protrusion utilizes the existing structural elements of the receptacle and terminal accommodating portion. Instead of adding a separate complex regulation mechanism, the protrusion serves itself by leveraging the natural geometry and movement of the connecting components.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses posture inclination and reduces contact resistance between terminal fittings, enhancing the connection process by maintaining stable alignment and minimizing frictional resistance, thus improving the overall efficiency of the connector.
Implementation Method 1
The lever is rotated from the initial state. As a result, the cam follower and the cam groove generate a cam action that connects the female and male housings.
Implementation Method 2
Sliding resistance between a terminal fitting of the male housing and a terminal fitting of the female housing increases if the inclination of the two housings increases
Data Source
AI summary
A lever-type connector has tubular fitting (13) with an outer regulating wall (20) on a side opposite to a lever accommodating portion (16) across a terminal accommodating portion (10). A receptacle (41) includes an inner regulating wall (44) arranged along the outer regulating wall (20) and a facing wall (45) arranged along the lever accommodating portion (16) and facing the inner regulating wall (44). Regulating protrusions (48) are formed on an inner surface of the inner regulating wall (44). Posture inclination between a female housing (F) and a male housing (M) is regulated by contact of a tip outer edge (44E) of the inner regulating wall (44) and an inner surface of the outer regulating wall (20) and by the contact of a tip outer edge (10E) of the terminal accommodating portion (10) and the regulating protrusions (48).