Unlocking Elastic Piece With Staggered Support Arm for Connector Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The unlocking elastic piece in existing connector assemblies experiences reduced elastic deformation ability and locking/unlocking failures due to insufficient deformation after repeated use, leading to reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
The unlocking elastic piece incorporates a support arm and connecting arm arranged in a staggered manner, forming a balance lever to improve the transmission of external forces to the locking portion, enhancing its elastic deformation and reducing failure risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the unlocking elastic piece is pressed multiple times to unlock the connector, then the locking element separates from the locking hole, but the elastic deformation ability decreases leading to locking/unlocking failure
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking elastic piece is segmented into multiple functional portions: a fixing portion for mounting, a locking portion with locking element, a connecting portion, a connecting arm, and a support arm. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally, with the support arm specifically designed to enhance elastic deformation capability during repeated unlocking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking elastic piece utilizes dynamic elastic deformation of the support arm and connecting arm to transmit external force to the locking portion. The support arm is designed to elastically deform under external force, dynamically adapting to repeated pressing operations while maintaining sufficient deformation ability to unlock the connector.
2Device complexity
If the connecting arm connects the locking portion directly to the force-receiving portion, then the structure is simple, but the connection is prone to elastic deformation causing force transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm acts as a counterbalancing element that compensates for the elastic deformation of the connecting arm. By positioning the support arm beside the connecting arm in a staggered manner, the system creates a balance lever mechanism where the support arm's elastic deformation counteracts the force loss from the connecting arm, improving overall force transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm serves as an intermediary element between the force-receiving portion and the locking portion. Instead of relying solely on the connecting arm for force transmission, the support arm mediates the force transfer, providing an additional pathway that reduces the burden on the connecting arm and improves overall force transmission reliability.
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 staggered arrangement of the support and connecting arms improves the reliability of the unlocking mechanism by effectively transmitting external forces, reducing the risk of unlocking failure and ensuring consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
the support arm and the connecting arm being connected between the locking portion and the force-receiving portion, the force-receiving portion being configured to drive the locking portion to elastically deform under an action of an external force
Implementation Method 2
the support arm can form a balance lever, thereby improving a defect that a connection between the connecting arm and the force-receiving portion itself is prone to elastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
An unlocking elastic piece includes a fixing portion, a locking portion, a connecting portion, a connecting arm, a support arm and a force-receiving portion. The locking portion is provided with at least one locking element. The connecting portion connects one end of the fixing portion and one end of the locking portion. The connecting arm is connected to the locking portion. The support arm is located beside the connecting arm. The support arm and the connecting arm are disposed staggered along a first direction. The connecting arm and the support arm are connected between the locking portion and the force-receiving portion. The force-receiving portion is configured to drive the locking portion to deform under an action of an external force, thereby causing the locking element to separate from a mating connector. An electrical connector having the unlocking elastic piece is also disclosed.