Cable Connector Assembly With Lance Support for Terminal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector technologies face challenges in preventing damage to connection terminals due to misalignment and require compact designs without compromising functionality.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly featuring a connector housing with a locking lance to secure external connection cables, a bus bar support for stabilizing the joint terminal, and a connector cover with a lance support to minimize elastic deformation of the locking lance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking lance is used to secure external connection cables, then cable separation is prevented, but the locking lance may cause damage to connection terminals due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide structure as an intermediary element between the locking lance and the connection terminal. This guide structure receives and guides the locking lance, ensuring proper alignment before the lance engages with the connection cable. By mediating the interaction between the lance and terminal, the guide prevents misalignment-induced damage while maintaining the cable-securing function of the lance.
2Reliability
If the connector design includes all necessary components for secure connection, then connection reliability is improved, but the overall connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated structures. The guide structure serves both as an alignment guide for the locking lance and as part of the overall connector housing. The locking lance itself is designed to perform multiple functions: securing the connection cable, engaging with the guide structure for alignment, and working in conjunction with the connector cover. This functional integration reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall connector volume while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the locking lance is received within the guide structure, which is itself part of the connector housing. The connector cover overlaps with the housing and provides additional support. This nesting approach allows multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping or adjacent spaces efficiently, minimizing the overall footprint of the connector while ensuring all necessary components are present for reliable operation.
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
The solution effectively prevents separation of external connection cables, ensures stable electrical connections, and allows for a compact design while maintaining high manufacturing yield and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a retreat space providing a space allowing the locking lance to elastically deform and retreat so that the plurality of external connection cables is insertable into the plurality of cable insertion grooves
Implementation Method 2
a lance support protruding from the cover plate and inserted into the retreat space to reduce elastic deformation of the locking lance in a direction of separation from the plurality of external connection cables
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a connector housing having a housing main body, a plurality of cable insertion grooves formed in the housing main body, a locking lance protruding into the cable insertion grooves, a retreat space providing a space allowing the locking lance to elastically deform and retreat, and a bus bar support protruding inward from an inner wall of the housing main body. The connector assembly includes a joint terminal having a plurality of coupling bars and a connection bar physically and electrically connecting the coupling bars and seated in a bus bar seating groove formed in the bus bar support. The connector assembly has a connector cover including a cover plate closing one side of each of the cable insertion grooves and a lance support protruding from the cover plate and inserted into the retreat space to reduce elastic deformation of the locking lance.