Connector Front Mask Structure for Visual Assembly Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors face operability issues during assembly due to incorrect positioning of the front mask, leading to contact with the connector's edges and requiring reassembly, which hampers efficient insertion of components.
Innovation Solution
The connector design includes a housing with an engagement frame section and a front mask featuring an inserted section that protrudes from the engagement frame, allowing for correct assembly recognition by visual exposure of the protrusion, ensuring proper alignment and preventing incorrect assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the front mask is assembled to the housing without a visual confirmation feature, then the assembly structure is simple, but the operability for assembling deteriorates due to incorrect positioning and contact with edges
Solution Approach 1:
The inserted section is pre-configured to protrude from the engagement frame section when correctly assembled, providing advance visual confirmation of proper positioning before component insertion occurs. This preliminary visual indicator prevents incorrect assembly attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The inserted section acts as an intermediary visual element between the front mask and housing, providing a visible indication of correct assembly without requiring complex mechanical feedback mechanisms or additional sensing systems.
2Productivity
If the front mask is positioned incorrectly during assembly, then the assembly process continues without interruption, but the inserted member cannot be properly inserted and reassembly is required
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding inserted section provides immediate visual feedback to the operator about the correct positioning of the front mask relative to the housing. This feedback mechanism prevents incorrect assembly and eliminates the need for reassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The exposed portion of the inserted section creates a visible visual difference that indicates correct assembly state, allowing operators to quickly confirm proper positioning without additional tools or complex inspection procedures.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If no visual indication is provided for correct assembly, then the manufacturing process is simple, but operators cannot confirm proper positioning and must rely on trial and error
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly structure itself provides the visual indication through the protruding inserted section, eliminating the need for separate detection devices, markers, or inspection tools. The structure serves its own indication function.
Solution Approach 2:
The inserted section extends in a direction perpendicular to the assembly interface, creating a visual indicator in a different spatial dimension. This allows operators to detect correct positioning from a lateral view rather than requiring precise alignment viewing.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector comprises a housing including a terminal accommodating chamber; and a front mask to cover a front side of the housing in a terminal inserting direction, wherein the housing includes a housing main body and an engagement frame section, wherein the engagement frame section protrudes forward from the housing main body, wherein the front mask includes a mask main body and an inserted section, the mask main body being provided with an accommodating recess in a position of the mask main body facing the terminal accommodating chamber, wherein the inserted section is inserted inside the engagement frame section, and wherein in a state in which the inserted section is inserted inside the engagement frame section and the accommodating recess is located in a position facing the terminal accommodating chamber, a portion of the inserted section protrudes from the engagement frame section and is exposed.