Cable-End Connector Housing With Self-Locking Terminal Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable-end connectors often detach when the cable is pulled, leading to functional failure and potential safety issues due to short circuits, and existing Terminal Position Assurance (TPA) mechanisms increase costs and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A cable-end connector design featuring a housing with a guiding structure that elastically deforms locking arms during terminal insertion, followed by elastic recovery to secure the terminal within the installation channel, enhanced by a barb elastic piece that engages with a constricted portion for additional fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a TPA mechanism is added to prevent terminal detachment, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is designed to automatically engage with the guiding structure during terminal insertion without requiring external actuation or additional components. The elastic deformation and recovery of the locking arm provides self-locking functionality, eliminating the need for separate TPA mechanisms and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arm's elastic properties are utilized to change its shape during insertion - it deforms to pass through the guiding structure and then recovers to lock in place. This parameter change (elastic deformation) enables automatic locking without additional components, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity
2Reliability
If a TPA mechanism is added to prevent terminal detachment, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the terminal structure itself through the locking arm, eliminating the need for separate TPA components. This integration reduces part count and manufacturing cost while maintaining the reliability benefit of preventing terminal detachment
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arm provides automatic locking through its own elastic properties without requiring additional TPA components. This self-service approach eliminates the cost of extra parts and assembly operations while ensuring connection 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 design ensures stable and reliable connection of the terminal within the housing without additional components or complex assembly, preventing accidental disengagement and enhancing connection reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the guiding structure is configured to drive at least one of the two locking arms to elastically deform, and at least one of the two locking arms is configured to elastically recover after passing the guiding structure
Implementation Method 2
the barb elastic piece is configured to elastically deform when passing through the constricted portion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a cable-end connector which includes a housing and a terminal. The housing includes an installation channel and a guiding structure located within the installation channel. The terminal is configured to insert into the installation channel and includes two locking arms located on one side of the terminal, in which the guiding structure is configured to drive at least one of the two locking arms to elastically deform. At least one of the two locking arms is configured to elastically recover after passing the guiding structure to be fixed within the installation channel.