Lockable Connector Assembly With Guide-Groove Foolproof Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors in automotive systems face challenges in maintaining reliable and stable connections under varying environmental conditions, such as vibration, humidity, and high temperatures, and often lack foolproof mechanisms to prevent unintentional disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A lockable connector assembly featuring a wire-end connector with a flexible positioning member and a locking mechanism that includes movable parts to ensure correct engagement and locking, utilizing elastic arms and protruding parts to secure the connection, preventing misoperation and ensuring stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unintentional disengagement, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is integrated into the wire-end connector body, combining the locking function with the connector structure. The locking member moves along a guide groove within the connector body, merging the locking mechanism into the existing connector rather than adding a separate independent locking device.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible positioning member automatically engages with the locking member to lock the connector in place. The elastic arms of the flexible positioning member deform to pass through protruding parts during engagement, then automatically lock without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a foolproof locking mechanism is implemented, then operational safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to be movable along a guide groove, transitioning between a retracted state during engagement and an extended locked state after engagement. This dynamic design allows the locking mechanism to automatically adapt to the engagement process without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible positioning member uses elastic deformation of its arms to enable automatic locking. The elastic arms deform to pass through the protruding parts of the board-end connector and then return to their original shape, creating a foolproof locking action that ensures correct engagement through physical parameter changes rather than complex control logic.
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 solution effectively prevents unintentional disengagement and ensures reliable electrical connections by providing a foolproof locking mechanism that enhances the stability and reliability of the connector assembly, even under harsh environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the pair of first elastic arms has a first protruding part. The second body has two second protruding parts formed on the side connection region and facing each other. A gap between the second protruding parts is smaller than an outer dimension defined by the first protruding parts of the pair of first elastic arms under a normal condition. When the wire-end connector is engaged with the board-end connector, the first protruding parts and the second protruding parts interfere with each other so that the pair of first elastic arms are deformed.
Implementation Method 2
When the locking member is moved from the initial position to the insertion position, the locking member is abutted against the flexible positioning member so that the flexible positioning member is retained in the locked position.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lockable connector assembly, including a wire-end connector and a board-end connector. The wire-end connector includes a first body and a locking member. The first body has a flexible positioning member and a side guide groove. The locking member is movably disposed in the side guide groove. When the locking member is located in an initial position, the wire-end connector is capable of being engaged with the board-end connector. When the locking member is moved from the initial position to an insertion position, the locking member is abutted against the flexible positioning member so that the flexible positioning member is fixedly disposed in the locked position.