Resilient Stopper With Dual Support Points For Connector Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors face reliability issues due to accidental release of the resilient stopper, which impairs connection detection, and increasing the reaction force of the resilient stopper to prevent this results in connector enlargement.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a resilient stopper with a first and second support point, allowing for increased reaction force without enlarging the connector, where the second support point is formed by a protrusion that contacts the lock arm near the arm's supporting point, enhancing connection resistance and operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reaction force of the resilient stopper is increased to prevent accidental release, then connection reliability is improved, but the resilient stopper is enlarged increasing the connector size
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient stopper is divided into multiple functional segments: a first support portion at the base end for initial deflection support, and a second support portion closer to the tip for secondary support. This segmentation allows the stopper to achieve higher reaction force through multi-point support without increasing overall size, as each segment works sequentially during the locking and releasing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient stopper features localized thickening at specific positions (first and second support portions) to concentrate structural strength where needed. The tip portion maintains a smaller cross-section for engagement while the support portions have increased thickness to provide the necessary reaction force. This local quality enhancement allows high reaction force without overall enlargement of the connector.
2Reliability
If the resilient stopper is enlarged to increase the shear area and reaction force, then connection reliability is improved, but the connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly enlarging the resilient stopper, the invention segments the support function into two distinct portions: the first support portion at the base end and the second support portion closer to the tip. This segmentation allows the stopper to achieve high reaction force through strategic local reinforcement rather than overall size increase, maintaining compact connector dimensions while ensuring reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient stopper incorporates localized quality variations with thickened sections at the first and second support portions. These local thickening areas provide the necessary shear area and reaction force concentration without requiring the entire stopper to be enlarged. The tip portion remains compact for precise engagement, while the support portions provide the structural strength needed for reliable connection detection.
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 design effectively increases the reaction force of the resilient stopper without enlarging the connector, improving connection reliability and operability while preventing inadvertent separation of the housings.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient stopper is deflected and deformed in a direction to release locking with the stopper receiving portion by being engaged with the releasing portion
Implementation Method 2
A spring is configured to accumulate a spring force while applying the spring force to the slider kept at the advanced position
Data Source
AI summary
In the process of connecting first and second housings (10, 90), a slider (60) is kept at an advanced position by locking a resilient stopper (76) and a stopper receiving portion (25), and springs (80) accumulate spring forces. The resilient stopper (76) and the stopper receiving portion (25) are released as the housings (10, 90) are connected and the slider (60) is moved to a retracted position while being biased by the springs (80). The resilient stopper (76) projects from a base end (52) to a tip (51) and has a first support (54) at the base end (52) to function as a support of deflection when starting deflection in the process of connecting the first and second housings (10, 90) and a second support (58) closer to the tip (51) than the base end (52) to function as a support of deflection following the first support (54).