Plug Connector Movable Unlocking Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive connectors face issues with secure connection during vehicle vibrations, requiring complex locking structures that complicate design and operation, making it difficult to maintain a secure yet easily unlockable connection.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector assembly with a movable unlocking structure featuring inclined contact surfaces on the plug housing and slidable locking portions, allowing the connectors to be easily disengaged by moving the locking portions along these surfaces, ensuring secure engagement and effortless unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking structure is added to ensure secure connection during vibrations, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a self-locking mechanism where the locking ball automatically engages with the locking groove when the plug and socket are inserted, providing secure connection without requiring additional locking operations or complex external locking structures
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is segmented into distinct components: a locking ball on the plug side and a locking groove on the socket side, allowing independent design and assembly of locking elements that simplify the overall structure while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If a locking structure is added to ensure secure connection during vibrations, then connection stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocked state through the sliding movement of the locking ball along the inclined surface, allowing easy transition between connected and disconnected states without complex unlocking procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surface acts as an intermediary element that converts the sliding motion of the locking ball into the unlocking action, providing a simple mechanical advantage that facilitates easy disconnection while maintaining secure connection during operation
3Ease of operation
If the plug housing rear surface is pushed outward to unlock, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface parameters (angle, slope, curvature) are optimized to provide sufficient mechanical advantage for unlocking while maintaining tolerances that are achievable with standard manufacturing processes, balancing ease of operation with manufacturing feasibility
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 enhances the physical stability of connected connectors while allowing for easy unlocking, improving user experience by maintaining secure connections during vibrations and simplifying the unlocking process.
Implementation Method 1
either the plug housing or the slidable locking portions are provided with inclined contact surfaces so that, once the plug connector is connected to a socket connector and the slidable locking portions are engaged with the plug connector, the slidable locking portions can be moved along the inclined contact surfaces respectively to push the rear surface of the plug housing outward, thereby unlocking the plug connector from the socket connector
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connector has a movable unlocking structure, and a plug connector assembly includes the plug connector and two slidable locking portions to be engaged with the left and right surfaces of the plug connector respectively. The rear surface of the plug connector has two first locking units, at least one of the plug connector and the slidable locking portions has an inclined contact surface, and when the plug connector is connected to a socket connector and the slidable locking portions are engaged with the plug connector and move toward the top side of the plug connector, the rear surface of the plug connector is pushed outward with the assistance of the inclined contact surface, unlocking the first locking units from the engaging portions on the socket connector respectively.