Lock Arm Design for Reduced Height Electric Connectors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lock arms in electric connectors require a large space for releasing the lock, increasing the height of the connector due to the need for significant downward movement of the releaser to release the lock from the male housing.
Innovation Solution
A lock arm design where the extension is pushed towards the lock arm body, utilizing the first and second legs as fulcrums and an abutment point as a working point, allowing the lock portion to be released with minimal displacement of the extension, thus reducing the overall height of the electric connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the releaser is pushed downward to release the lock, then the lock is released from the lock unit, but a large space is required between the lower surface of the lock arm body and the upper surface of the female housing, increasing the height of the electric connector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an oblique extension that extends in a direction away from the upper surface of the female housing, transforming the release mechanism from a purely vertical (one-dimensional) movement to a multi-dimensional action. When the extension is pushed towards the lock arm body, it creates rotational movement around the fulcrums formed by the first and second legs, enabling lock release with reduced vertical space requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the lock arm structure: the first and second legs serve as both structural support elements and fulcrums for the release mechanism. The oblique extension integrates the release actuation function with the lock arm body, eliminating the need for separate release mechanisms that would increase height.
2Length of stationary object
If the releaser moves by a small distance, then the overall height of the electric connector is reduced, but it becomes difficult to release the lock from the lock unit
Solution Approach 1:
The oblique extension acts as an intermediary element that amplifies the movement effect. When pushed towards the lock arm body, it creates a rotational lever action around the fulcrums, converting a small linear displacement into a larger rotational movement that effectively releases the lock from the lock unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock arm structure incorporates dynamic elements including the elastically deformable lock arm body and the rotational mechanism around the fulcrums formed by the first and second legs. This dynamic design allows the system to respond to small input forces with amplified output movement, maintaining ease of operation while reducing the required vertical space.
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
Enables the release of the lock portion from the lock unit with a small distance of movement, allowing for the fabrication of a reduced-height electric connector.
Implementation Method 1
the lock arm body being elastically deformable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction
Implementation Method 2
when the extension is pushed towards the lock arm body, the lock arm body is deformed with the first and second legs acting as fulcrums
Data Source
AI summary
A lock arm formed on a second housing fit into a first housing including a lock unit, includes an elastically deformable lock arm body, first and second legs connecting the lock arm body to the second housing with a gap therebetween, a lock portion to be locked to the lock unit, and an extension obliquely extending from the lock arm body, wherein when the extension is pushed towards the lock arm body, the lock arm body is deformed, then, the extension makes contact with the lock arm body, and then, the lock arm body is deformed with the first and second legs acting as fulcrums and further with an abutment point acting as a working point to thereby allow the lock portion to be released from the lock unit, the extension and the lock arm body making contact with each other at the abutment point.