Connector Housing Locking Flap for Dense Contact Rows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors, particularly in the automotive industry, face challenges in ensuring reliable and cost-effective locking and unlocking of contact units, especially in narrow connectors with closely spaced rows, and require efficient methods to test and remove contact units without causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A connector housing with a movable pivotable contact securing flap that allows for secondary locking and unlocking of contact units, facilitated by a locking tool for securing and a testing tool for verifying correct positioning, and an unlocking tool for releasing the contact units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If contact units are locked in a narrow connector with closely spaced rows, then the connector density is improved, but the accessibility for testing and unlocking becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pivotable contact securing flap that moves between a locking position (blocking the opening) and a testing position (clearing the opening). This dimensional movement in the vertical plane allows testing tools to access contact units in narrow connectors without increasing horizontal space, thus maintaining connector density while improving accessibility for testing and unlocking operations
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure contact units, then the reliability of electrical connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact securing flap is designed to be automatically actuated by a testing tool during the testing process. The testing tool itself serves as the actuating mechanism, eliminating the need for separate locking actuators or complex control systems. This self-service approach maintains reliability through the locking function while minimizing additional device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The contact securing flap serves multiple functions: it provides the locking function to secure contact units, acts as a test indicator when moved to the testing position, and enables unlocking when pivoted open. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connector housing (1) for an electrical connector (0) with electrical contact units (10), preferably for a plug connector or mating connector (0) in particular for the automotive industry, having a contact housing (2) which can be established or is established at/in a contact housing receptacle (6), and the contact housing (2) has at least one movable contact securing flap (300) by means of which the contact units (10) can be locked, wherein the contact securing flap (300) inside the contact housing receptacle (6) can be brought from its open position (O) into its locking position (V), wherein the contact units (10) in the connector housing (1) can be locked, and/or the contact securing flap (300) inside the contact housing receptacle (6) can be brought from its locking position (V) into its open position (O), wherein the contact units (10) in the connector housing (1) can be unlocked.