Slider Spring Structure for Stable Connector Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors used for airbag inflators or squib connectors in vehicles suffer from inadequate connection reliability with mating connectors.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a slider biased by a spring with a pair of arms and a coupling portion extending along a third axis, providing increased contact area and balanced force application to improve stability and reliability of connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional spring with torsion coil portions is used to bias the slider, then the slider can be biased toward the first position, but the connection reliability to the mating connector is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is divided into functionally distinct segments: a coupling portion that contacts the slider along the third axis, and pair of arms that extend along the second axis. This segmentation allows the coupling portion to provide stable contact for reliable slider biasing while simplifying the overall structure compared to conventional torsion coil springs
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling portion extends along the third axis which intersects both the first axis (slider movement direction) and the second axis (arm extension direction). This three-dimensional configuration provides stable contact with the slider while distributing forces more effectively, improving connection reliability without increasing structural complexity
2Stability of the object's composition
If the slider is moved rearward to connect with the mating connector, then connection is achieved, but the slider may incline or move unstably without proper force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling portion is specifically designed to contact the slider along the third axis, providing localized stable support at the critical contact point. This localized quality enhancement ensures the slider moves stably during connection operations without requiring complex overall structural changes
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-configured with the coupling portion extending along the third axis before assembly, so that when the slider is moved rearward for connection, the stable contact and force distribution are already in place. This preliminary configuration ensures smooth connection operations without requiring adjustment during the connection process
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 connection reliability by ensuring stable movement and reduced inclination of the slider, thereby preventing incomplete connections and improving assembly workability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring for biasing the slider toward the first position, the spring including a pair of arms extending along a second axis intersecting the first axis and a coupling portion coupling the pair of arms
Data Source
AI summary
A connector 10 includes a terminal 20, a housing 30 for holding the terminal 20, a slider 60 to be accommodated inside the housing 30 and movable to a first position and a second position along a first axis X, and a spring 70 for biasing the slider 60. The spring 70 includes a pair of arms 71 extending along a second axis Y intersecting the first axis X and a coupling portion 75 coupling the pair of arms 71 and configured to contact the slider 60. The coupling portion 75 extends along a third axis Z intersecting both the first axis X and the second axis Y. The spring 70 biases the slider 60 toward the first position with the coupling portion 75 held in contact with the slider 60 along the third axis Z.