Self-Ejecting Electrical Connector with Guided Locking Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connection systems with self-ejecting features do not adequately guide the thrust member, leading to potential failures due to polymer creep in plastic locking devices, necessitating additional features for self-ejection functions.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector system featuring a first connector body with a locking fin, a second connector body with a flexible locking arm, a plunger, and a spring that moves between engaged and disengaged positions to securely connect and disconnect the connectors, utilizing a metallic clip to reduce polymer creep, and a guide channel to ensure proper alignment and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If plastic locking devices are used for self-ejection, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to polymer creep over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines plastic and metal materials in the locking device. The plastic housing provides complexity reduction and basic functionality, while the metal locking arm provides reliability and resistance to creep. This composite approach allows the device to achieve both low complexity and high reliability simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If additional features are added to the male connector housing for self-ejection, then self-ejection function is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding ejection features to the male connector, the patent inverts the approach by placing the self-ejection mechanism in the female connector. The female connector's locking arm and plunger system actively ejects the male connector, simplifying the male connector housing while maintaining the self-ejection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device uses a spring-loaded plunger system that automatically ejects the connectors without requiring external intervention. The spring stores energy during engagement and releases it to provide self-ejection, making the system self-service and eliminating the need for additional manual ejection features.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the plunger is held in engagement position, then connection stability is improved, but ease of disconnection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is designed as a dynamic component that can move between engaged and disengaged positions. During normal operation, the spring holds the plunger in the engaged position for stable connection. When disconnection is needed, the plunger can be easily pushed to release the locking arm, providing both stability and ease of disconnection through its dynamic nature.
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 system ensures proper connection and disconnection by guiding the connectors to fully mate before self-ejecting, preventing partial connections and reducing the risk of polymer creep, thus enhancing reliability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed between the plunger and the second connector body. This spring is configured to urge the plunger into the engaged position
Implementation Method 2
a flexible locking arm defined by the second connector body configured to releasably engage the locking fin
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector system includes a first connector body defining a locking fin, a second connector body configured to receive the first connector body, and a flexible locking arm defined by the second connector body configured to releasably engage the locking fin. A plunger is slidably attached to the second connector body and is moveable from an engaged position in which the plunger holds the locking arm in engagement with the locking fin to a disengaged position in which the plunger disengages the locking arm from the locking fin. A spring is disposed between the plunger and the second connector body and is configured to urge the plunger into the engaged position.