Securing Member for IEC60320 Connector Gap Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
IEC60320 connectors lack a securing mechanism, leading to loose connections and potential electrical breakages due to the absence of a gap between the male and female connector members.
Innovation Solution
A securing member with a main body having inner, outer, and end walls that define a receiving space to fit and securely engage the open end portion of the male connector member, including deformable ribs and extending segments for flexibility and ease of attachment and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no securing mechanism is used between the male connector member and female connector member, then the connector structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the connection becomes loose and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The securing member is nested within the surrounding wall of the male connector member, with the receiving space formed by inner wall, outer wall, and end wall containing the open end portion. This nested structure provides secure engagement without adding external complexity to the connector assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing member acts as an intermediary component between the male connector member's surrounding wall and the female connector member's insertion groove. It fills the gap and provides a securing mechanism that prevents loose connection while maintaining the required IEC60320 gap specification.
2Reliability
If a securing mechanism is added to prevent disconnection, then the connection reliability improves, but the ease of operation for attachment and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The end wall is configured to be separable from the distal surface of the surrounding wall, allowing dynamic attachment and detachment. The receiving space can fit and separably receive the open end portion, enabling easy operation while maintaining secure connection during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing member is divided into functional segments: the main body with inner wall and outer wall for securing, and the separable end wall for easy attachment/removal. This segmentation allows the connector to provide both secure connection and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the securing member tightly engages the surrounding wall, then the connection security improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner wall, outer wall, and end wall are configured with specific local geometries that correspond to the open end portion's inner surface, outer surface, and distal surface. This local quality matching enables secure engagement at critical interfaces while allowing tolerances in non-critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving space dimensions and the separable end wall configuration allow for parameter adjustments in the fitting and separation processes. This enables secure engagement during operation while facilitating easier manufacturing with relaxed tolerance requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A securing member adapted for securely connecting a male connector member and a female connector member of a connector of IEC60320 standard. The securing member includes a main body including an inner wall, an outer wall and an end wall interconnecting the inner and outer walls. The inner, outer and end walls cooperatively define a receiving space adapted for receiving fittingly and separably at least part of an open end portion of a surrounding wall of the male connector member, and abutting respectively and separably against inner, outer and distal surfaces of the open end portion. The main body is adapted to engage an insertion groove of the female connector member fittingly and removably.