Spring-Locked Connector Assembly for Vibration-Stable Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies experience instability and noise generation in high vibration environments due to the unstable mating of first and second connectors.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design featuring a lock lever with a spring mechanism that ensures the engaging portion of the lock lever is positioned beyond the engaged portion of the first housing in the mated state, utilizing a spring to urge the lock lever towards a locked position, thereby stabilizing the connection in high vibration environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lever-type connector with rack-and-pinion system is used, then the connector can be mated by rotational movement, but the mated components become unstable in high vibration environments
Solution Approach 1:
The lock lever is designed to be movable between locked and unlocked positions, allowing the connector to transition from a simple mating state to a securely locked state. The spring mechanism provides dynamic force to maintain the locked position, ensuring stability under vibration while preserving ease of operation through simple lever movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging portion of the lock lever is positioned beyond the engaged portion of the first housing before vibration occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that the connectors are pre-secured against potential vibrational forces, preventing instability before it can occur during high vibration environments.
2Reliability
If the lock lever is positioned at the lock position with engaging portion beyond engaged portion, then connection stability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the existing lever structure by integrating the lock lever, engaging portion, and spring mechanism into the connector assembly. This combines multiple functions (mating and locking) into a unified structure, improving stability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring automatically urges the lock lever toward the locked position, providing self-securing functionality. This eliminates the need for additional actuators or complex control mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring reliable locking and connection stability.
3Reliability
If the spring urges the lock lever toward the locked position, then the connection is secured against vibration, but the force required for unlocking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock lever maintains a dynamic balance between the spring force urging it to the locked position and the user-applied force to unlock it. The lever's rotational movement allows users to overcome the spring force easily by pulling or pushing the lever, ensuring that while the connection is securely locked during operation, unlocking remains simple and requires minimal force.
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 design effectively prevents instability and noise in high vibration environments by maintaining a secure connection between the first and second connectors.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is attached to both the second housing and the lock lever. The spring urges the lock lever to be moved toward the lock position.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly comprises a first connector and a second connector. The first connector comprises a first housing. The first housing is provided with an engaged portion. The second connector comprises a second housing, a lock lever and a spring. The second housing is provided with a first axis portion. The lock lever is provided with a second axis portion and an engaging portion. The engaging portion is positioned beyond the engaged portion in a first direction when the lock lever is positioned at a lock position under a mated state where the first connector and the second connector are mated with each other. The spring urges the lock lever to be moved toward the lock position. When the lock lever is positioned at the lock position, the spring urges the second axis portion to be moved in a second direction.