Integrated Connector Housing With Elastic Terminal Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector housing assemblies consist of separate outer, inner housings, and terminal locking components, leading to a complex structure, difficulty in assembly, and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A connector housing designed as an integral injection molded part that integrates the outer and inner housings with an elastic locking buckle, featuring a snap slot and hook portion to secure terminals, and a sealing ring installation groove for sealing, all formed through injection molding with avoidance holes for component removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the outer housing, inner housing, and terminal locking component are manufactured as separate injection molded parts, then each component can be independently optimized and manufactured, but the structure becomes complex, assembly becomes difficult, and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the outer housing, inner housing, and terminal locking component into a single integrated connector housing assembly. The outer housing contains an inner housing that is pre-assembled with a terminal locking component during the injection molding process, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and subsequent assembly of these parts. This merging reduces structural complexity while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through integrated mold design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the outer housing, inner housing, and terminal locking component are manufactured as separate parts, then each part can be optimized for its specific function, but the number of assembly steps increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The inner housing and terminal locking component are pre-assembled within the outer housing during the injection molding process itself. The mold design incorporates features that allow the terminal locking component to be positioned and secured in the inner housing before the outer housing material is injected, completing the assembly in a single manufacturing step rather than requiring subsequent assembly operations.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used in the connector housing assembly, then functional requirements can be met, but the number of parts increases leading to higher costs and assembly difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the inner housing is positioned within the outer housing, and the terminal locking component is integrated within the inner housing. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional components to be contained within each other, reducing the overall number of separate parts while maintaining the terminal locking function. The integrated design ensures reliable terminal retention through the nested configuration.
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 structure and reduces costs by integrating multiple components into a single molded part, ensuring secure terminal installation and sealing, while facilitating easy assembly and component removal.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic locking buckle and a snap slot suitable for engaging with the elastic locking buckle are formed on the front end portion of the inner housing, the elastic locking buckle is used to ensure the installation position of the terminal and lock the terminal in the terminal mounting hole
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a connector housing, a connector housing assembly, a connector and a connector assembly. The connector housing comprises: an outer housing (11) which has an outer peripheral wall (113) as well as a front port (111) and a rear end wall (112) that are opposed to each other in a longitudinal direction; and an inner housing (12) comprising a middle portion (123) located inside the outer housing (11), a front end portion (121) extending from the front port (111) of the outer housing (11), and a rear end portion (122) extending backwards from the rear end wall (112) of the outer housing (11). A terminal mounting hole (12a) for inserting a terminal is formed in the inner housing (12), and an elastic locking buckle (13) and a snap slot (12b) suitable for engaging with the elastic locking buckle (13) are formed on the front end portion (121) of the inner housing (12), the elastic locking buckle (13) is used to ensure the installation position of the terminal and lock the terminal in the terminal mounting hole (12a). The connector housing (1) is an integral injection molded part, and the rear end wall (112) of the outer housing (11) is connected between the rear end of the outer peripheral wall (113) of the outer housing (11) and the outer side of the inner housing (12). In the present invention, the connector housing is an integral injection molded part that simultaneously integrates an inner housing, an outer housing and an elastic locking buckle, thereby simplifying the structure of the connector and reducing costs.