Connector Holding Terminal Height Offset for Cable Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors are costly due to the use of separate holding terminals, and they may cause cables to come off due to inadequate temporary holding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A connector design that uses first terminals as holding terminals, with a housing configuration where the holding parts differ in height from the contact points, allowing for easy insertion and temporary holding of cables without increasing costs by utilizing identical terminal shapes for both contact and holding functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate holding terminals are used in conventional connectors, then cable holding reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the holding function into the existing contact structure by forming holding parts at the ends of contact arms. The contact arm itself serves dual purposes: electrical contact and cable holding. This eliminates the need for separate holding terminals, reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining cable holding reliability through the integrated holding parts that engage with locking holes in the cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact arm is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides electrical contact through its contact point and simultaneously provides cable holding through holding parts formed at its ends. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated holding terminals, thereby reducing cost while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If holding parts are positioned at the same height as contact points, then manufacturing is simplified, but cable insertability and temporary holding are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the holding parts at a different height (vertical position) than the contact points along the contact arm. This spatial separation in the vertical dimension allows the cable to be inserted smoothly without interference from the contact points, while the holding parts at the elevated position can effectively engage with the cable's locking holes to provide temporary holding during insertion and prevent cable disconnection.
3Reliability
If holding parts are positioned differently in height from contact points, then cable temporary holding is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than adding separate holding structures at different heights, the patent combines the holding function into the existing contact arm structure. The holding parts are formed as integral portions of the contact arm, extending from the contact point area. This integration maintains structural simplicity while achieving the required height difference for effective cable temporary holding.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a first terminal accommodated in a first housing portion of a housing and a holding terminal accommodated in a second housing portion of the housing. The holding terminal is identical in shape to the first terminal and is configured to hold a cable. The first terminal has a contact point configured to come into contact with the cable. The holding terminal has a holding part corresponding in position to the contact point of the first terminal. When the housing is oriented so that the direction of inserting and removing the cable is horizontal, the holding part of the holding terminal accommodated in the second housing portion differs in position in height from the contact point of the first terminal accommodated in the first housing portion.