Electrical Connector Guide Pin Retention With Embedded Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Guide pins in electrical connectors are prone to coming off when subjected to pulling or falling forces during separation of male and female terminals.
Innovation Solution
The guide pin is supported by a base with a concave portion recessed toward its inside, and the base is embedded in this concave portion, preventing the guide pin from dislodging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If guide pins are used to align male and female terminals, then alignment accuracy and ease of insertion are improved, but the guide pins may come off when subjected to pulling or falling forces during separation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pin is nested within a recess portion formed in the base. The recess portion receives and holds the guide pin, preventing it from coming off while allowing it to protrude for alignment functionality. This nesting structure resolves the contradiction by securing the guide pin internally while maintaining its external alignment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a dimensional feature (recess portion) to the base structure that provides retention in the insertion/removal direction. By creating a three-dimensional recess that receives the guide pin, the design adds a retention dimension without interfering with the guide pin's primary alignment function in the horizontal plane.
2Ease of operation
If guide pins protrude from the base for alignment, then ease of operation is improved, but the guide pins are vulnerable to dislodging under pulling or falling forces
Solution Approach 1:
The recess portion is pre-formed in the base to counteract the harmful effect of pulling and falling forces before they can dislodge the guide pin. This preliminary structural arrangement creates resistance against the expected harmful forces, allowing the guide pin to maintain its protruding alignment function while being protected from dislodging.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pin is nested within the recess portion, which provides a protective enclosure that prevents the guide pin from being dislodged by external forces while still allowing it to protrude sufficiently for alignment operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the guide pin structure is simplified without retention features, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the guide pins cannot be prevented from coming off
Solution Approach 1:
The recess portion is formed as an integral part of the base structure, creating a nested configuration that provides retention functionality without requiring separate components. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving reliable guide pin retention through the recess-groove engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention function is merged into the base structure itself through the recess portion, eliminating the need for separate retention components. The base simultaneously provides structural support and guide pin retention through its integrated recess features.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a base supporting electrical terminals. Guide pins are mounted on the base. Recesses recessed inward of the guide pins are formed in side walls of the guide pins. The base is embedded in the recesses. The guide pins are held on the base by the embedding.