Double-Sided Pull Strap Connector Unlocking to Prevent Skewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pull strap connectors in connector assemblies suffer from reliability issues due to single-sided locking designs, leading to potential skewing and instantaneous signal interruptions under external forces.
Innovation Solution
A pull strap connector with locking hook portions on both sides of the insulating body, facilitated by a pull strap that elastically deforms the locking pieces to simultaneously unlock from the mating connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-sided locking hook portion is provided on the pull strap connector, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to skewing under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure is segmented into two independent locking pieces (first locking piece and second locking piece), each with its own locking hook portion. This segmentation allows each locking piece to independently handle forces from different directions, preventing the skewing issue that occurs with single-sided locking while maintaining manageable device complexity.
2Reliability
If a double-sided locking structure is provided on the pull strap connector, then the reliability is improved by preventing skewing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pull strap is designed to simultaneously drive both the first locking piece and the second locking piece through a shared driving mechanism. This merging approach allows a single pull strap to control both locking pieces, achieving double-sided locking with minimal increase in device complexity while significantly improving reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the pull strap directly drives both locking pieces, then the ease of operation is improved for simultaneous unlocking, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pull strap acts as an intermediary element that translates the user's pulling action into coordinated movement of both locking pieces. By designing the pull strap to elastically deform and simultaneously drive both locking pieces, the system achieves easy simultaneous unlocking operation while keeping the driving mechanism relatively simple through the use of elastic deformation rather than complex mechanical linkages.
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
Enhances structural reliability by ensuring simultaneous unlocking on both sides, preventing skewing and maintaining connection integrity under external forces.
Implementation Method 1
the pull strap can elastically deform the first locking piece and the second locking piece under the action of the external force, so that the first locking hook portion and the second locking hook portion are unlocked simultaneously from the mating connector
Data Source
AI summary
A pull strap connector includes an insulating body, a first locking piece, a second locking piece and a pull strap. The insulating body includes a first side wall and a second side wall. The first locking piece is at least partially mounted to the first side wall. The first locking piece includes a first locking hook portion. The second locking piece is at least partially mounted to the second side wall. The second locking piece includes a second locking hook portion. The pull strap is configured to be pulled by an external force, so that the first locking hook portion and the second locking hook portion are unlocked from a mating connector. A connector assembly having the pull strap connector is also disclosed.