Seesaw Lock Arm Connector for Easy Release in Compact Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connectors with lock arms face difficulties in releasing the locked state when the lock arm is shortened, as the entire lock arm moves downward, making it hard to release the locked state when the releasing portion is pressed from above.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with side walls and a lock arm that displaces like a seesaw, supported by projections on the housing body serving as a fulcrum, allowing easier release of the locked state by reducing the force required and stabilizing the posture of the lock arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the length of the lock arm is shortened to reduce the housing size, then the housing length is reduced, but the lock arm moves downward making it difficult to release the locked state
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm is divided into two functional segments: a front end portion that engages with the lock portion and a rear end portion that serves as the releasing portion. This segmentation allows the front end to maintain locking engagement while the rear end can be independently actuated for release, solving the problem of difficult release operation in shortened lock arms.
Solution Approach 2:
A pressing portion is introduced as an intermediary component that transmits force from the releasing portion to the front end portion of the lock arm. This mediator enables effective force transmission to achieve release even when the lock arm is shortened, overcoming the direct operational difficulty.
2Length of stationary object
If the lock arm is shortened, then the housing size is reduced, but the force required to release the locked state increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm is pre-configured with a pressing portion that can be actuated from the rear end. This preliminary arrangement of the pressing mechanism allows release operation to be initiated easily at the rear end, which then transmits force through the lock arm structure to achieve release without requiring excessive force from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing portion acts as a mechanical intermediary that amplifies and transmits the releasing force effectively through the lock arm structure. This intermediary mechanism reduces the input force required at the releasing portion while still achieving the necessary force at the locking interface.
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 connector facilitates easy release of the locked state of the lock arm, reducing the necessary force and maintaining stability during the seesaw movement, thus addressing the challenge of releasing the locked state in compact designs.
Implementation Method 1
a lock arm (23) arranged between the pair of side walls (21) and supported on the pair of side walls displaceably like a seesaw, and a projection (24) provided on a facing surface of the housing body (20) and the lock arm (23) and serving as a fulcrum of a seesaw movement of the lock arm (23)
Data Source
AI summary
A connector (10) is provided with a housing (11) and a terminal fitting (12) to be accommodated into the housing (11). The housing (11) includes a housing body (20), a pair of side walls (21), a lock arm (23) and a projection (24). The housing body (20) accommodates the terminal fitting (12). The pair of side walls (21) project from an outer surface of the housing body (20) and are arranged side by side in a width direction of the housing (11). The lock arm (23) is arranged between the pair of side walls (21) and supported on the pair of side walls (21) displaceably like a seesaw. The projection (24) is provided on a facing surface of the housing body (20) and the lock arm (23) and serves as a fulcrum of a seesaw movement of the lock arm (23).