Electrical Connector Indicator Sleeve Assembly Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors often suffer from incomplete assembly, leading to improper functioning, as the inner housing may not be adequately inserted into the outer housing, which can result in inadequate sealing and performance issues, particularly in harsh environments like automotive or aeronautical applications.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an indicator sleeve that blocks its final assembly position when the inner housing is not correctly positioned, along with latching members and a locking arrangement, ensures proper assembly by providing distinct snap-fit events to indicate complete insertion and secure the inner housing in place, enhancing sealing performance and preventing unintentional disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inner housing is inserted into the outer housing during assembly, then the connector is assembled, but incomplete assembly may occur leading to improper functioning
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator sleeve is pre-assembled into the outer housing before the inner housing is inserted. This preliminary action creates a reference mechanism that will automatically indicate whether the inner housing has been correctly inserted, eliminating the need for separate verification steps and ensuring assembly correctness.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator sleeve provides visual feedback about the assembly state. When the inner housing is correctly inserted, the indicator sleeve moves to a specific position that signals proper assembly. This feedback mechanism allows operators to immediately verify assembly correctness without additional inspection steps.
2Reliability
If the indicator sleeve is inserted into the outer housing against the contact direction, then assembly feedback is provided, but the indicator sleeve may be inadvertently removed
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is divided into multiple latching members distributed around the indicator sleeve. These latching members engage with corresponding features on the outer housing to secure the indicator sleeve in place, preventing inadvertent removal while maintaining the visual indication function.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching members are designed to automatically engage with the outer housing when the indicator sleeve is inserted, providing preliminary securing action. This preliminary latching occurs before the inner housing is fully assembled, ensuring the indicator sleeve remains secured throughout the assembly process and final operation.
3Reliability
If the front seal is retained in the sealing position by the indicator sleeve, then sealing performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator sleeve is designed to perform multiple functions: providing assembly feedback through its position, retaining the front seal in the sealing position, and being secured by latching members. By combining these functions into a single component, the seal retention mechanism does not add significant complexity beyond the indicator sleeve itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the assembly verification function and the seal retention function. It mechanically interacts with both the inner housing (for indication) and the front seal (for retention), eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and reducing overall complexity.
4Reliability
If the locking arrangement forms a stop face for the indicator sleeve, then incomplete assembly is detected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arrangement is integrated with the indicator sleeve mechanism. The stop face is formed as part of the locking arrangement that also secures the inner housing to the outer housing. By merging the verification function (stop face for indicator sleeve) with the securing function (locking arrangement), no additional complexity is added beyond the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arrangement performs multiple functions: securing the inner housing to the outer housing in the correct position and providing a stop face for the indicator sleeve to detect incomplete assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate verification components, reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical connector (1) with an inner housing (2), an outer housing (3) and a locking arrangement (L). In order to provide a control mechanism for a correct insertion of the inner housing (2) into the outer housing (3), the invention provides that the electrical connector (1) has an indicator sleeve (18), whose insertion into the outer housing (3) is blocked by the locking arrangement (L), if the inner housing (2) is incompletely inserted into the outer housing (3).