Retaining Clip Plugging Indicator for Connector Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connections lack a reliable mechanism to indicate whether the male and female plug parts are fully inserted and locked, leading to potential misconnections, vibration-induced separations, and hotspots due to friction, which can damage components.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped retaining clip with specific geometric features and positions (pre-assembly, locking, operating, and dismantling) that interacts with guide cams and locking ribs on the male and female plug parts, providing tactile feedback and ensuring secure engagement, preventing misinsertion and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional plug connection without indication mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of connection status indication deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip serves dual functions: it locks the male and female plug parts together while simultaneously providing visual indication of connection status. The clip's position changes automatically with insertion depth, eliminating the need for separate indication mechanisms and achieving self-service functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining clip utilizes color contrast between different components (the clip itself versus the plug parts) to provide visual indication. When the clip is in the retracted position versus the extended locked position, the visible color difference indicates whether full insertion has been achieved, applying color change principle for status indication.
2Measurement precision
If no insertion depth indication is provided, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the measurement precision of insertion status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip acts as an intermediary mechanical element that translates the insertion depth of the male plug part into a visible positional change. Rather than requiring direct measurement of insertion depth, the clip mediates this information through its constrained movement along the connection axis, providing indirect but reliable indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The indication mechanism transforms the one-dimensional insertion depth parameter into a visible positional dimension of the retaining clip. The clip's movement along the connection axis converts internal insertion status into external observable position, effectively adding a visual dimension to the mechanical insertion process.
3Reliability
If the retaining clip is designed with multiple positions and interaction features, then the reliability of locked connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides locking, indication, and guiding functions. The same structural features (legs, interaction surfaces) that enable secure locking also provide the indication mechanism, achieving universality where one component performs multiple critical functions without requiring additional separate elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism and indication mechanism are merged into a single retaining clip assembly. The clip's positional state, which indicates connection status, is directly coupled with the locking engagement, combining two functions into one integrated component rather than separate systems.
4Reliability
If the outer groove and interaction features are designed for precise engagement, then the reliability of preventing misconnection is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outer groove and interaction features are designed with asymmetric geometries that prevent misconnection. The specific shapes of the groove legs, interaction surfaces, and retaining clip features create a unique fit that only allows correct orientation and depth of insertion, using asymmetric design to encode proper assembly information into the mechanical structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a plug-in connection, comprising a male connector part (11), which can be or is inserted into a female connector part (9) along a connection axis (X), wherein both connector parts (9, 11) have a rectangular cross-section along a connection plane (X) and the female connector part (9) has a U-shaped outer groove (24) having a holding clip (1) slid onto the outer groove (24) from the outside, wherein the outer groove (24) comprises an opening (26) on each of two opposite legs, each opening being penetrated by a holding rib (21) and by a shoulder (22) of the holding clip (1), in order to interact with guide studs (37a, 37b) arranged on the male connector part (11) and with a holding nose (36) when the male connector part (11) is in the inserted state, such that the holding clip (1) can assume a pre-mounting position, a locking position, an operating position, and a removal position, wherein the holding clip (1), as a plugging indicator, indicates whether the two connector parts (9, 11) are completely plugged one into the other.