Bent Coupling Joint Connector for Faster Housing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of the assembling operation of the joint terminal and the housing in existing joint connectors is reduced due to the press-fit method used.
Innovation Solution
A joint connector design featuring a housing and a joint terminal with branch portions, wire connecting portions, and a coupling portion that is bent and engaged with the housing, allowing for easy mounting and improved assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the joint terminal is press-fit into the housing, then the connection is secure, but the assembling operation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The joint terminal is divided into multiple branch portions (first, second, third branch portions) that can be independently positioned and connected to wires, allowing parallel assembly operations and improving overall assembly efficiency while maintaining secure connections through each segmented contact portion
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling portion is pre-formed with a bent plate structure that enables snap-fit engagement with the housing, allowing the joint terminal to be pre-assembled with wires before final installation into the housing, thereby improving assembling operation efficiency
2Productivity
If a bent plate coupling portion is used, then the assembling operation efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bent plate coupling portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical engagement with the housing through snap-fit action, provides electrical connection between branch portions, and provides structural support for positioning the wire connecting portions, thereby reducing the need for additional separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling portion integrates the functions of mechanical fastening, electrical connection, and structural support into a single bent plate structure, combining multiple previously separate components into one element to reduce overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A joint connector 10 for electrically connecting a plurality of wires 11 includes a housing 29 and a joint terminal 12 to be disposed in the housing 29. The joint terminal 12 includes a plurality of branch portions 20 arranged along an arrangement direction, a plurality of wire connecting portions 17 respectively continuous with the plurality of branch portions 20 and to be connected to the plurality of wires 11, and a coupling portion 19 for electrically connecting the plurality of branch portions 20 by coupling the plurality of branch portions 20. The coupling portion 19 is in the form of a plate extending in the arrangement direction and is bent. The coupling portion 19 is engaged with the housing 29.