Rotatable Locking Part for Modular Connector Elastic Fatigue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular connectors with elastic cantilevers suffer from elastic fatigue and structural breakage due to repeated deformation, and can easily hook other objects, leading to connection failures.
Innovation Solution
A modular connector design featuring a locking part that rotates to engage with a retaining structure of a mating connector, eliminating the need for an elastic structure and preventing disengagement, with a pivotally connected locking part and a positioning structure to facilitate secure engagement without elastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an elastic cantilever is used as the connecting structure, then the connector can be inserted and extracted, but repeated elastic deformation induces elastic fatigue and structural breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate functional components: a rigid connector body and a独立的 locking part. The locking part is rotatably connected to the connector body, allowing the locking function to be separated from the elastic cantilever structure. This segmentation eliminates the need for the elastic cantilever to provide both connection and locking functions, thereby preventing elastic fatigue and structural breakage while maintaining insertion and extraction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking part is designed to be rotatable relative to the connector body, providing a dynamic locking mechanism. The locking part can rotate between a locked position (where the retaining portion engages with the retaining structure) and an unlocked position (where the elastic cantilever can deflect during insertion/extraction). This dynamic mechanism allows the elastic cantilever to remain stationary during locking, eliminating repeated elastic deformation and elastic fatigue.
2Reliability
If an elastic cantilever is used for connection, then the connector can engage with the mating connector, but the elastic cantilever easily hooks other objects and breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted from the elastic cantilever and implemented by a separate locking part with a retaining portion. The locking part is specifically designed to engage with a retaining structure on the mating connector, providing a dedicated locking mechanism that does not protrude or hook external objects. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of the elastic cantilever hooking cables or other objects while maintaining reliable connection engagement.
3Reliability
If a rotatable locking part is used instead of elastic cantilever, then elastic fatigue is eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking part is integrated with the connector body through a rotational connection, merging the locking function with the existing connector structure. The locking part includes a connection portion that is rotatably connected to the connector body and a retaining portion that engages with the mating connector. This integration approach adds minimal complexity while providing reliable locking without elastic fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-operating through simple rotational motion. The locking part can be rotated manually to engage or disengage the retaining portion with the retaining structure, providing a self-service locking function without requiring additional actuators or complex mechanisms. This keeps the device complexity low while achieving the reliability benefit of eliminating elastic fatigue.
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 modular connector achieves a firm and stable connection without elastic fatigue, preventing structural breakage and unintended hooking of external objects, ensuring reliable engagement and disengagement without relying on elastic materials.
Implementation Method 1
The connection portion is rotatably connected to the surface relative to a direction, wherein the locking part is rotatable to engage the retaining portion with a retaining structure of the mating modular connector
Implementation Method 2
In the process of inserting or extracting the connector, the elastic cantilever needs to elastically deflect up and down relative to the connector body
Data Source
AI summary
A modular connector includes a connector body and a locking part. The connector body has a surface. The locking part includes a connection portion and a retaining portion connected to the connection portion. The connection portion is rotatably connected to the surface relative to a direction. The direction is perpendicular to the surface. The locking part is rotatable to engage with a retaining structure of a mating modular connector.