Rotating Cable Connector Lock for Tight-Space Insertion and Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors in miniaturized electronic devices face challenges in facilitating easy and reliable manual insertion and removal of cables due to limited working space, as they require finger operation to open the actuator, which is not feasible in compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a rotatable actuator supported by an insulator with a biasing member, allowing the actuator to automatically switch between lock and insertion/removal positions, enabling cable insertion and removal without the need for manual actuation, and positioned to allow for efficient operation within the constraints of miniaturized devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual actuator operation is used for cable insertion and removal, then the cable can be securely locked, but the working space required increases making it unsuitable for miniaturized devices
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator automatically returns to the locked position after cable insertion without requiring manual operation. The biasing member provides the restoring force that automatically moves the actuator from the insertion/removal position back to the lock position, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for finger operation in confined spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed to be rotatable between different positions (lock position and insertion/removal position) and automatically transitions between these states. The dynamic behavior is driven by the biasing member that continuously applies force to return the actuator to the locked position, enabling automatic operation in miniaturized environments
2Volume of moving object
If the actuator is positioned close to the cable insertion point for compact design, then the device size is reduced, but the cable removal operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator operates in a rotational dimension rather than linear movement. By positioning the actuator to rotate about an axis and using the biasing member to provide rotational restoring force, the design achieves compact footprint while maintaining operational effectiveness through angular motion instead of linear displacement
3Volume of moving object
If the connector is miniaturized for portability, then the electronic device becomes more portable, but manual cable insertion and removal becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The miniaturized connector incorporates a self-servicing mechanism where the biasing member automatically returns the actuator to the locked position after cable insertion. This eliminates dependence on manual operation reliability and ensures consistent locking behavior even in the compact dimensions required for portable devices
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is pre-loaded to continuously apply force to the actuator, ensuring it is always biased toward the locked position. This preliminary action of the biasing member guarantees reliable cable retention and automatic return to locked state, maintaining reliability despite miniaturization
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 workability by allowing stable cable holding and reliable prevention of removal within miniaturized electronic devices, reducing the necessary working space and preventing accidental cable removal, thus improving operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member supported by the insulator and including an abutting portion that abuts on the actuator, the biasing member applying a force to bias the actuator toward the lock position through the abutting portion
Data Source
AI summary
A connector (10) according to the present disclosure includes an insulator (20) including an insertion space portion (21) into and from which a cable (70) including a to-be-locked portion (74) can be inserted and removed, an actuator (50) including a locking portion (51) and supported by the insulator (20) rotatably about a rotation axis (C) between a lock position at which the to-be-locked portion (74) and the locking portion (51) engage with each other when the cable (70) is in an inserted state and an insertion/removal position at which the cable (70) can be inserted into and removed from the insertion space portion (21), and a biasing member (60) supported by the insulator (20) and including an abutting portion (64) that abuts on the actuator (50), the biasing member (60) applying a force to bias the actuator (50) toward the lock position through the abutting portion (64), wherein the locking portion (51), the abutting portion (64), and the rotation axis (C) are positioned apart from one another in an insertion/removal direction in which the cable (70) is inserted into and removed from the insertion space portion (21).