Connector Housing Segmentation for Stable Terminal Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors face challenges in securing an effective contact length of terminal fittings while preventing housings from loosening, as the restoring elasticity of the seal ring reduces the contact length and causes wear due to sliding contact.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring an inner housing, an outer housing, and a ring-shaped rubber member that is compressed between the two, with inner and outer locks that engage each other and allow relative movement, along with a cushion on the electric wire to absorb vibrations, ensuring the housings remain in contact and preventing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a seal ring is used to prevent loosening of housings, then housing stability is improved, but the contact length of terminal fittings is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into inner housing and outer housing components, with the seal ring positioned specifically between them. This segmentation allows the seal ring to provide stability without interfering with the terminal fitting contact area, as the sealing function is localized to the housing interface rather than extending into the terminal contact region.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring acts as an intermediary element between the inner and outer housings, providing the necessary sealing and anti-loosening function. By positioning this intermediary component at the housing interface, the patent achieves housing stability while preserving the full contact length of terminal fittings, as the seal ring does not intrude into the terminal contact area.
2Strength
If the seal ring is compressed to secure housing connection, then housing connection strength is improved, but terminal fitting wear increases due to reduced contact length
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is segmented into distinct inner and outer housing portions, with the seal ring compressed at the interface between them. This segmentation concentrates the compressive force at the housing joint, achieving strong housing connection without extending the compression into the terminal fitting contact area, thereby preventing terminal fitting wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring serves as an intermediary that absorbs and distributes the compressive force between housings. By positioning this intermediary element at the housing interface, the patent achieves strong housing connection while protecting terminal fittings from wear, as the seal ring prevents direct transmission of compressive forces to the terminal contact surfaces.
3Length of moving object
If the housings are allowed to separate to increase terminal contact length, then contact length is improved, but housing loosening occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into inner and outer components with a defined interface where the seal ring operates. This segmentation allows the housings to maintain their structural integrity and resist loosening through the seal ring's sealing action, while the terminal fittings retain sufficient contact length for effective electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring acts as an intermediary that maintains housing stability without preventing terminal contact. By positioning the seal ring at the housing interface, the patent allows terminal fittings to achieve adequate contact length while the seal ring simultaneously prevents housing loosening through its sealing and restraining function.
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
This design maintains effective contact length of terminal fittings by keeping the housings in a pressed state, preventing loosening and wear, and allows for elongation of terminal fittings, while the rubber member's uniform elastic force maintains contact without inclining surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a rubber member between the inner and outer housings. A mating housing can be fit between the inner and outer housings and compresses the rubber member in a fit-on direction so that fit-on surfaces of the inner housing and the mating housing are kept in contact with each other in a pressed state.
Implementation Method 2
The rubber member is sandwiched between the inner and outer housings and is held in a compressed state in the fit-on direction when the mating housing is fit on the inner housing. The elastic restoring force of the rubber stopper acts uniformly over the entire peripheries of the fit-on surfaces of the inner housing and the mating housing.
Implementation Method 3
A cushion is disposed on a periphery of the electric wire and closely contacts an inner peripheral surface of the outer housing. When the electric wire vibrates, the vibration force of the wire is transmitted to the outer housing and to the inner housing to prevent the terminal fitting accommodated in the inner housing from being worn due to sliding contact between the terminal fitting and the mating male terminal fitting.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector has an inner housing (11) accommodating female terminal fittings (80); an outer housing (12) disposed to surround a periphery of the inner housing (11); and a rubber member (70) disposed to be sandwiched between the inner and outer housings (11, 12). When a mating housing (90) is fit between the inner and outer housings (11, 12), the rubber member (70) is held therebetween and is compressed in a fit-on direction and with a fit-on surfaces of the inner and mating housings (11, 90) kept in contact with each other in a pressed state.