Connector Assembly Detection via Lock Arm Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing connector devices, improper mounting of the shorting terminal fitting can lead to misalignment of resilient contact pieces with detection terminals, resulting in varying contact pressures and potential errors in connection state detection.
Innovation Solution
The connector design incorporates an assembly detecting portion on the lock arm that interferes with the shorting terminal fitting during the connection process, allowing for the detection of improper posture and ensuring proper alignment, utilizing the internal space of the shorting terminal fitting for the assembly detecting portion and maintaining the rigidity of the shorting spring by pressing its central part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shorting terminal fitting is mounted in an improper posture inclined with respect to the female housing, then the resilient contact pieces are misaligned with the detection terminals, but the connector can still be connected; however, this causes different contact pressures and unreliable connection state detection
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly detecting portion performs preliminary detection during the connection process itself. When the shorting terminal fitting is improperly mounted, the assembly detecting portion interferes with the mating housing before the connectors reach the fully connected state, preventing erroneous detection. This preliminary action ensures alignment verification occurs automatically as part of the connection sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly detecting portion acts as an intermediary element between the lock arm and the shorting terminal fitting. It translates the physical state of the shorting terminal fitting alignment into a detectable mechanical interference condition, enabling indirect detection of improper mounting without requiring direct measurement of the shorting terminal fitting's position.
2Reliability
If the assembly detecting portion is added to the lock arm, then improper assembly of the shorting terminal fitting can be detected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm serves multiple functions: it provides the locking action to secure the connector connection and simultaneously supports the assembly detecting portion for detecting improper shorting terminal fitting assembly. By making the lock arm multi-functional, the patent avoids adding a separate dedicated detection mechanism, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly detecting portion is integrated with the lock arm structure rather than being a separate component. This merging of functions reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the overall connector structure while maintaining the detection capability. The detection function is combined with the existing locking mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the resilient contact pieces are misaligned with the detection terminals due to improper mounting, then connection can still be made, but the contact pressure becomes non-uniform causing detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly detecting portion provides preliminary anti-action by detecting improper alignment before it can cause detection errors. When misalignment is detected during the connection process, the mechanical interference prevents the connectors from reaching a state where erroneous detection could occur, thereby counteracting the potential harm in advance.
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 solution effectively detects improper mounting of the shorting terminal fitting, preventing erroneous connection state detection and maintaining the connector's size and functionality by ensuring proper alignment and avoiding inclination-related errors.
Implementation Method 1
the lock arm being resiliently displaceable toward the terminal mounting portion due to interference with the mating housing in the incompletely connected state
Implementation Method 2
the assembly detecting portion being capable of detecting an improperly assembled state of the shorting terminal fitting by interfering with the shorting terminal fitting in the connection process
Data Source
AI summary
It is aimed to detect whether or not a shorting terminal fitting is properly mounted. A female connector (F) is provided with a terminal mounting portion (21) formed in a female housing (20), a shorting terminal fitting (30) mounted in the terminal mounting portion (21), a lock arm (24) formed in the female housing (20) and resiliently displaceable toward the terminal mounting portion (21) due to interference with a male housing (10) in an incompletely connected state, and assembly detecting portions (29) for detecting an improperly assembled state of the shorting terminal fitting (30) by interfering with the shorting terminal fitting (30) in a connection process of the female housing (29) and the male housing (10) when the shorting terminal fitting (30) is improperly mounted in the terminal mounting portion (21).