Lock Arm Connector Structure for Consistent Connection Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with multiple high projections on the lock arm tend to produce inconsistent connection sounds due to inclination during the connection process, reducing the reliability of the connection sound production.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a resiliently deformable lock arm with a pair of lock portions arranged in the width direction, where collision surfaces are strategically positioned between the lock portions to ensure consistent sound production, enhanced by a cantilever shape, reinforcing ribs, and guide grooves for increased stiffness and alignment, and a widened portion for enhanced collision energy retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If two high projections are arranged in the width direction on the lock arm to enhance locking function, then the locking function is improved, but the connection sound production becomes unreliable due to deviated hitting timings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the collision sound production function from the lock portions and relocates it to a dedicated collision portion on the lock arm. This separation allows the lock portions to focus on locking functionality while the collision portion ensures reliable sound production, resolving the contradiction between enhanced locking function and reliable connection sound production.
Solution Approach 2:
The collision portion acts as an intermediary element between the lock arm and the housing. It is specifically designed to collide with the housing and generate the connection sound, mediating the interaction between the locking mechanism and the housing to ensure reliable sound production regardless of the lock arm's inclination during connection.
2Force
If collision surfaces are arranged at multiple locations corresponding to high projections, then collision energy is distributed, but connection sound consistency deteriorates due to inclined connection causing deviated hitting timings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the collision function into a single dedicated collision portion located between the two lock portions. Instead of distributing collision surfaces at multiple locations, the single collision portion concentrates the collision energy and ensures consistent sound production even when the lock arm is inclined during connection, resolving the contradiction between collision energy distribution and sound consistency.
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 design reliably produces a connection sound even when the lock arm is inclined, with increased stiffness and collision energy retention, resulting in a larger and more consistent connection sound.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently deformable lock arm formed on the female housing, the lock arm being resiliently deformed by interference of the pair of lock portions and the receptacle in a connection process
Implementation Method 2
the lock arm resiliently returning to lock the male housing and the female housing in a connected state
Implementation Method 3
the lock arm and the receptacle being formed with collision surfaces for producing a connection sound by colliding when the lock arm resiliently returns
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is provided with a male housing including a receptacle, a female housing and a resiliently deformable lock arm formed on the female housing. The lock arm includes a pair of lock portions arranged in a width direction. The lock arm is resiliently deformed by the interference of the pair of lock portions and the receptacle in a connection process of the both housings. The lock arm resiliently returns to lock the both housings in a connected state when the both housings reach a properly connected state. The lock arm and the receptacle are formed with collision surfaces for producing a connection sound by colliding when the lock arm resiliently returns. The collision surfaces are arranged only at one location including a region between the pair of lock portions in the width direction.