Connector Integrating Guiding Grooves and Lock Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors have complex mold structures due to separate positions for guiding terminal fittings and retainer locking mechanisms, making it difficult to manufacture small connectors.
Innovation Solution
A connector design where guiding grooves on partition walls between cavities receive stabilizers from terminal fittings and communicate with closed ends, while deflectable locking lances and retainer locks prevent egress, simplifying the housing structure and allowing miniaturization without increasing width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guiding grooves and lock receiving portions are positioned at different locations in the housing, then terminal fittings can be guided into cavities and retainers can be locked, but the mold structure becomes complicated and small connectors cannot be easily manufactured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guiding groove and lock receiving portion into the same location on the housing. The guiding groove is formed to extend from the rear surface toward the front surface, and the lock receiving portion is positioned at the front end of the guiding groove. This integration allows the same structural feature to serve both guiding and locking functions, simplifying the mold structure while maintaining reliability for manufacturing small connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding groove structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it guides the terminal fitting into the cavity during insertion, and simultaneously serves as the lock receiving portion that engages with the retainer to prevent removal. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate structures, reducing mold complexity while ensuring both guiding and locking reliability.
2Reliability
If separate structures are provided for guiding terminal fittings and locking retainers, then functional reliability is improved, but the housing width increases making miniaturization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guiding structure and locking structure into a single integrated feature on the housing. The guiding groove extends along the partition wall and its front end forms the lock receiving portion, eliminating the need for separate wide-mounted structures. This allows both guiding and locking functions to be achieved within a compact housing width, enabling connector miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing guiding and locking structures at different lateral positions (width direction), the patent arranges them sequentially along the front-back direction. The guiding groove extends from the rear toward the front, and the lock receiving portion is positioned at the front end, utilizing the depth dimension rather than the width dimension. This dimensional reorganization maintains functional reliability while minimizing housing width.
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
Simplifies the mold structure and enables the production of smaller connectors by integrating guiding and locking mechanisms, preventing terminal fitting and retainer egress while maintaining a compact housing width.
Implementation Method 1
A deflectable locking lance is provided at an inner wall of each cavity and resiliently locks the properly inserted terminal fitting for preventing the terminal fitting from coming out backward
Implementation Method 2
The stabilizer enters the guiding groove to guide an inserting operation of the terminal fitting into the cavity of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
In the process of inserting a terminal fitting (90) into a cavity (20) of a housing (10), a stabilizer (95) enters a guiding groove (31) and an inserting operation of the terminal fitting (90) is guided. The front end of the guiding groove (31) defines a closed end part (32). When a retainer (60) is mounted into the housing (10), locking portions (66) are inserted into communication holes (33) and locked to the closed end parts (32) of the guiding grooves (31), thereby preventing the retainer (60) from coming out of the housing (10).