Connector Lance Rib Guide for Smooth Terminal Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing connectors, the direct sliding contact between the lance's locking portion and the peripheral wall of the terminal's box portion increases insertion resistance and worsens the insertion feeling due to irregularities at the peripheral wall.
Innovation Solution
A rib is provided on the side edge of the terminal's box portion to bend the lance before it contacts the peripheral wall, reducing insertion force and preventing improper insertion, with a guide and lead portion for smooth engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking portion of the lance directly contacts the peripheral wall of the box portion during terminal insertion, then the terminal can be securely locked, but the insertion resistance increases and insertion feeling deteriorates due to irregularities at the peripheral wall
Solution Approach 1:
A protruding piece is added to the lance that serves as an intermediary element. During insertion, this protruding piece contacts the peripheral wall first and bends the lance, allowing the locking portion to engage with the engaging portion without directly contacting the irregular peripheral wall surface, thus maintaining both secure locking and smooth insertion feeling
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding piece performs a preliminary action by contacting and bending the lance before the locking portion reaches the engagement position. This preliminary bending action prepares the lance for smooth engagement while avoiding direct contact between the locking portion and irregularities on the peripheral wall
2Reliability
If the protruding portion is added to the box portion to improve engagement, then locking can be achieved, but insertion resistance increases when the protruding portion contacts the lance
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding piece acts as a mediator that distributes the contact force during insertion. Instead of the locking portion directly contacting the peripheral wall or the protruding portion contacting the lance, the protruding piece contacts first and gradually bends the lance, reducing peak insertion force while ensuring reliable engagement
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 configuration reduces insertion force and maintains a good insertion feeling even with irregularities, preventing the terminal from falling out and ensuring proper alignment.
Implementation Method 1
the lance comes into sliding contact with the inserted terminal, thereby being bent, and at a stage where the terminal is inserted up to a predetermined position, the locking portion of the lance returned from a bent state is engaged with the engaging portion of the terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a terminal, a connector housing to which the terminal is inserted, and a lance provided inside the connector housing. When the terminal is inserted, the lance comes into sliding contact with the terminal, thereby being bent, and a locking portion of the lance returned by elasticity is engaged with an engaging portion of the terminal, whereby the terminal is prevented from falling out toward the rear side. At a lateral side portion of the lance, a protruding piece is provided, and at a side edge in the width direction of a peripheral wall of a box portion of the terminal, a rib is provided. When the terminal is inserted, before the peripheral wall of the box portion comes into sliding contact with the engaging portion of the lance, the rib comes into sliding contact with the protruding piece, thereby bending the lance.