Spring-Biased Secondary Lock for Airbag Connector Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies with secondary locking members can unintentionally be placed in a half-fitting position, leading to unreliable mechanical coupling and potential unintentional disconnection, particularly in critical applications like airbag systems.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a spring-biased secondary locking member that automatically moves into a locked position upon full mating with a counter connector, ensuring secure coupling and preventing unintentional disconnection, while also incorporating electrical monitoring for verifying correct mating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secondary locking member is used to secure connector mating, then mechanical coupling reliability is improved, but the locking member can be unintentionally placed in a half-fitting position leading to potential disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element automatically biases the secondary locking member into the locked position without requiring manual intervention. The system self-corrects by preventing half-fitting positions through the spring's restoring force, which pushes the locking member into the proper locked position when the connector is fully mated.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element changes the positional parameter of the secondary locking member by applying a biasing force. This parameter change ensures the locking member transitions from an unstable half-fitting position to a stable locked position, eliminating the risk of unintentional disconnection.
2Reliability
If the secondary locking member is automatically biased into locked position upon full mating, then secure coupling is ensured, but the device complexity increases due to the spring mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is integrated into the existing connector housing structure, merging the biasing function with the housing rather than being a separate external component. This consolidation adds minimal complexity while achieving the reliability benefit of automatic locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as an intermediary between the connector mating action and the secondary locking member. It translates the mechanical action of full mating into the appropriate biasing force that moves the locking member into the locked position, simplifying the overall control mechanism.
3Reliability
If the spring is biased to cause automatic movement into locked position, then go/no go function is provided, but the spring requires deformation and force application during mating
Solution Approach 1:
The spring provides just enough biasing force to ensure the secondary locking member reaches the locked position when fully mated, without requiring excessive force during the mating process. The spring's partial deformation is sufficient to create the go/no go verification function.
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 spring-biased secondary locking mechanism ensures reliable and secure connector coupling by preventing half-fitting positions and providing a go/no go function, while the electrical monitoring allows remote verification of correct mating, enhancing safety and reliability in applications like airbag systems.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (40) which is adapted to bias the secondary locking member (30) into the locked position
Implementation Method 2
these arms are deflected and snap back into corresponding latching clearances of the counter connector, when fully mated
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a connector assembly in particular for airbag connection systems; comprising a connector housing (10) and a secondary lock (30).The housing is further provided with a spring(40), such that the secondary lock (30) is movable between a first and a second position and the spring(40)forces the secondary lock (30) into its second position when the connector housing (10) is fully mated with a corresponding mating connector.