Sealed Connector Lock Arm Structure for Low-Friction Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The retaining surface on the rear end of the lock arm in existing connectors increases the radial dimension of the receptacle, enhancing the rigidity of the deflection fulcrum and making it difficult for the lock arm to resiliently deform, thereby increasing friction resistance during connector mating.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a movable arm portion with a fulcrum portion and a displacing portion, where the stopper is formed only on the displacing portion, allowing the fulcrum portion to be thinned and its rigidity to be suppressed, facilitating easier deflection of the movable arm portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a retaining surface is formed on the rear end part of the lock arm, then the rigidity of the deflection fulcrum is enhanced, but the movable arm portion becomes difficult to deflect and friction resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm is divided into two functional regions: the rear end part (fulcrum portion) with the retaining surface for high rigidity, and the front part (displacing portion) without the retaining surface for easy deflection. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized properties for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining surface is applied locally only to the rear end part of the lock arm where the fulcrum is located, rather than uniformly across the entire lock arm. This localized application enhances rigidity where needed while preserving deflection ease in the displacing portion.
2Strength
If a retaining surface is formed on the rear end part of the lock arm, then the rigidity of the deflection fulcrum is enhanced, but friction resistance increases during connector mating
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm structure segments the retaining surface application to only the fulcrum region, preventing excessive friction resistance while maintaining necessary rigidity for stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining surface is applied locally to the rear end part where rigidity is needed, avoiding unnecessary friction resistance in the displacing portion that contacts the mating connector during insertion.
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
This design prevents the movable arm portion from becoming difficult to deflect, reducing friction resistance during connector mating and ensuring smooth engagement and disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently deformable movable arm portion formed on the connector housing
Data Source
AI summary
It is aimed to avoid making a movable arm portion difficult to deflect. A connector is provided with a male housing (10) connectable to a female housing (40), a sealing ring (15) to be mounted on an inner peripheral surface of the male housing (10) for sealing between the inner peripheral surface of the male housing (10) and an outer peripheral surface of the female housing (40), resiliently deformable movable arm portions (30) formed on the male housing (40), and stoppers (37) for restricting a movement of the sealing ring (15). The movable arm portion (30) includes a fulcrum portion (31) and a displacing portion (32) extending from the fulcrum portion (31) and displaceable in a direction intersecting an extending direction. The stopper (37) projects from the displacing portion (32).