Electrical Connector Front Mask Locking Without Larger Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face challenges in preventing forward positional displacement of the front mask while avoiding the enlargement and complication of the housing.
Innovation Solution
The connector design includes a housing with recesses cut into partition walls between adjacent cavities, and a front mask with projections that fit into these recesses, preventing forward displacement without increasing the housing's size or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking recess with wide dedicated shape is used to receive the installation portion, then forward positional displacement of the front mask is prevented, but the housing becomes enlarged and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple partition walls that separate adjacent cavities. The locking function is segmented by providing locking protrusions on these partition walls rather than requiring a single large locking recess. This segmentation allows the front mask to be restrained through multiple small engagement points distributed across the partition walls, preventing forward displacement without requiring a wide dedicated locking recess in the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a planar locking recess approach to a three-dimensional engagement system. Locking protrusions extend from the partition walls into the cavities, creating engagement points in the depth dimension. The front mask's installation portion engages with these protrusions, restraining forward movement through vertical and depth-based interactions rather than relying solely on horizontal recess geometry.
2Reliability
If a locking recess with wide dedicated shape is used to receive the installation portion, then forward positional displacement of the front mask is prevented, but the housing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing a wide locking recess that spans a large area of the housing, the invention uses localized locking protrusions on partition walls. These protrusions are positioned only where needed to engage the installation portion of the front mask, concentrating the locking function in specific local areas rather than requiring extensive housing modifications. This maintains the overall compactness of the housing while achieving reliable positional restraint.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of cavities 22 of a housing 20 extend in a front-rear direction and are arranged side by side in a width direction. The housing 20 includes a recess 32, 32A open in one surface in a height direction in a partition wall 23 partitioning between the cavities 22 adjacent in the width direction. The recess 32, 32A is shaped by cutting the partition wall 23 in the width direction. A front mask 60 includes an end wall 62 projecting from a front wall 61 and to be arranged on one surface side in the height direction of the housing 20, and a projection 67, 67A projecting from the end wall 62, to be fit into the recess 32, 32A to fill up the recess 32, 32A and contactably facing a front surface of the recess 32, 32A without contacting terminal fittings 50.