Nonlinear Sliding Door Electrical Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors with pivotally movable door elements are either too easy to operate, allowing accidental contact by children or require additional space, leading to issues with contamination and false conduction due to exposed conductive elements.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector with a door element mounted for slidable movement along a nonlinear path between open and closed positions, featuring lugs that extend into guides to facilitate translation and inhibit access, ensuring secure closure without additional face space, using a resilient biasing means to maintain the door in the closed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pivotally movable door element is used to protect conductive elements, then access to contacts is inhibited when no plug is inserted, but the door element may be too easy to operate allowing children to mistakenly contact conductive elements
Solution Approach 1:
The door element follows a nonlinear curved path during opening/closing operations. The path includes a first arcuate portion and a second arcuate portion that are substantially perpendicular to each other, creating a two-stage motion that requires deliberate action rather than accidental activation
Solution Approach 2:
The door element transitions from a static protective barrier to a dynamic component that moves through a complex nonlinear trajectory. The motion is controlled by guides and lugs that create a specific two-stage path, making the door responsive to intentional operation while resisting accidental activation
2Reliability
If a pivotally movable door element is used to protect conductive elements, then access to contacts is inhibited when no plug is inserted, but additional space on the face of the connector is required
Solution Approach 1:
The door element's motion is extended from a simple linear or radial path into a two-dimensional nonlinear trajectory. By utilizing guides that create perpendicular arcuate portions, the door moves through space in a complex path that allows compact integration on the connector face while maintaining effective protection
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the door element is made secure to prevent accidental operation, then protection against contamination is improved, but the connector may require additional space or complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The guides and lugs serve multiple functions simultaneously: they constrain the door element to a specific nonlinear path, provide structural support, enable the two-stage motion sequence, and ensure proper alignment during operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector including a housing having a socket shaped to at least partially receive a mating plug; a plurality of electrically conductive contact elements at least partially extending into said socket for effecting electrical connection with corresponding electrically conductive contacts of the plug; and a door element coupled to the housing, wherein the door element is mounted for slidable movement along a nonlinear path between an open position whereby the socket is laid open for engagement by the mating plug and a closed position whereby access to the socket is inhibited.