Wearable Connector Assembly With Hidden Locking Recess Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector systems for wearable electronic devices lack secure and aesthetically pleasing methods for attaching accessories, often resulting in insecure connections and visible connector parts.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a housing and recess system that includes a retaining structure and release mechanism, allowing for secure attachment and detachment while minimizing the visibility of connector parts, utilizing a lever or button to displace the retaining structure and cover for secure engagement and easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connector system is designed to be secure and reliable, then connection strength is improved, but the connector parts become more visible and aesthetically less pleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is designed with a recess that receives and conceals the retaining structure of the corresponding connector. When mated, the retaining structure nests within the recess, hiding the connection mechanism from view while maintaining secure engagement. This nesting approach allows the connector parts to be structurally prominent for reliability but visually recessed for aesthetics.
2Ease of operation
If a connector system uses a release mechanism for easy detachment, then ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is designed to be actuated by a simple button or lever that directly translates user input into displacement of the retaining structure. The mechanism serves itself by using the housing structure and engagement member geometry to automatically disengage the retaining structure from the recess when the release is activated, without requiring additional complex control systems or multiple components.
3Reliability
If a connector uses a cover to obstruct access to the recess, then security and aesthetics are improved, but the ease of operation for attachment is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is positioned and configured to be automatically displaced by the retaining structure during the attachment process. Before the user completes the attachment action, the retaining structure has already performed the preliminary action of moving the cover out of the way, allowing seamless access to the recess without requiring the user to manually open or manipulate the cover separately.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a housing that includes an engagement member and defines a recess that is configured to receive a retaining structure of a corresponding connector of a device, and a release. When the connector is mated with the corresponding connector of the device, the release is configured to cause movement of the engagement member to displace the retaining structure from the recess.