Connector With Inclined Locking Surface To Prevent Rattling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connectors with synthetic resin housings and retainers experience rattling due to dimensional and assembly tolerances, which existing designs fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The connector features a terminal accommodating portion with an inclined locking surface and distinct biting positions for locking and retaining projections, preventing rattling by ensuring secure assembly and retention of the front retainer with the housing, even with variations in positional relationships caused by tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the locking projection and lock are made of synthetic resin components, then manufacturing cost is reduced and assembly is simplified, but dimensional tolerances and assembly tolerances cause rattling between the locking projection and lock
Solution Approach 1:
The locking surface is changed from a vertical orientation to an inclined orientation relative to the assembling direction. This parameter change allows the locking projection to maintain reliable contact with the locking surface despite dimensional tolerances and assembly variations, preventing rattling while keeping both components as synthetic resin parts for cost-effective manufacturing
2Ease of operation
If the locking surface is vertical to the assembling direction, then assembly is straightforward, but positional variations due to tolerances cause rattling between the locking projection and locking surface
Solution Approach 1:
The locking surface is designed with an asymmetric inclination angle rather than being perpendicular to the assembling direction. This asymmetric design creates a self-aligning effect where the locking projection naturally contacts the inclined surface at a specific position, compensating for tolerance variations and preventing rattling while maintaining ease of assembly
3Ease of operation
If the front wall is allowed to deform during assembly, then the locking projection can engage more easily, but the front wall may incline toward the tab insertion recess causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is designed to project from the side edge of the front wall before assembly occurs, with its locking surface already positioned and oriented correctly. This preliminary positioning prevents the front wall from deforming or inclining toward the tab insertion recess during assembly, as the lock structure provides inherent support and alignment guidance
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a housing (10) formed with a terminal accommodating portion (11), terminal fittings (15) to be inserted into the terminal accommodating portion (11) from behind, a front retainer (30) to be assembled with the housing (10) from front, and locking surfaces (29) formed in the terminal accommodating portion (11) and configured to hold the front retainer (30) and the housing (10) in an assembled state by having locking projections (37) of the front retainer (30) locked thereto from behind. The locking surfaces (29) are inclined with respect to an assembling direction of the front retainer 30 with the housing (10).