Connector Terminal Unit Guide Rib Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for in-vehicle LAN wiring harnesses require complex locking structures to prevent noise interference, which complicates the shape of the terminal unit and necessitates untwisting communication wires, compromising noise countermeasures.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with guide grooves and a terminal unit with a guide rib that functions both as a guide and a detachment restrictor, eliminating the need for a separate locking mechanism and allowing the terminal unit to be inserted without untwisting the wires, thereby simplifying the shape and maintaining noise countermeasures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate locking mechanism is added to the terminal unit to prevent detachment, then the detachment prevention function is improved, but the shape complexity of the terminal unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rib on the terminal unit and the guide groove in the housing are merged into a single integrated structure that performs both guidance and locking functions. The guide rib extends along the guide groove and its tip locks into the housing, eliminating the need for a separate locking mechanism while preventing detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rib serves multiple functions: it guides the terminal unit during insertion by fitting into the guide groove, and it simultaneously acts as a locking means by extending along the groove and locking into the housing to prevent detachment. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by avoiding additional structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If terminal fittings are inserted individually into the housing, then the insertion process is simplified, but the communication wires must be untwisted which compromises noise countermeasures
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal unit is segmented into a terminal holding member that accommodates multiple terminal fittings and a guide rib structure. This segmentation allows the terminal fittings to be mounted in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the communication wires while maintaining the twisted pair structure for noise countermeasures.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal fittings are mounted in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the communication wires (perpendicular mounting), rather than along the wire length. This dimensional change allows the wires to remain twisted for noise protection while enabling easy insertion through the terminal holding member.
Data Source
AI summary
It is aimed to simplify the shape of a terminal unit in a structure for mounting the terminal unit into a housing. A connector includes a housing (10) formed with an accommodating portion (11) inside, a guide groove (13) formed in the accommodating portion (11), a terminal unit (30) configured by accommodating a plurality of terminal fittings (49) into a terminal holding member (31) and to be inserted into the accommodating portion (11), a guide rib (46) formed on the terminal unit (30) and configured to guide the terminal unit (30) by sliding in contact with the guide groove (13), and a retainer (20) configured to restrict outward detachment of the terminal unit (30) from the accommodating portion (11) by being mounted into the housing (10) and locking the guide rib (46).