Quick-Connection Connector Lock Arm Without Added Housing Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing quick connection type terminal blocks face challenges in integrating a lock arm and protection wall with the housing without increasing thickness, as the lock arm typically needs to be positioned on the opposite side of the direct wire connection mechanism, which complicates molding and heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes an opening in the mechanism accommodating portion between the lock arm's rear end and the electric wire connection mechanism, allowing the lock arm and protection wall to be molded on the same side as the mechanism, providing a lock function while maintaining a slim profile and facilitating heat release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock arm is positioned on the opposite side in the direction of thickness of the housing where the direct wire connection mechanism is accommodated, then the lock function can be provided, but the housing becomes thicker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the lock arm from the conventional opposite side to the same side as the wire connection mechanism, utilizing the lateral space within the mechanism accommodating portion. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the lock arm to coexist with the wire connection mechanism without increasing housing thickness in the direction perpendicular to the housing face.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock arm is positioned within the dead space of the mechanism accommodating portion, effectively nesting the lock function within the existing structural envelope. The lock arm shares the same lateral space as the wire connection mechanism, allowing both functions to coexist without requiring additional thickness.
2Ease of manufacture
If the mold part for molding the back face side of the lock arm moves in a direction perpendicular to frontward and rearward directions, then interference with the mechanism accommodating portion is avoided, but the protection wall cannot be molded in the vicinity of the lock arm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a partition wall that divides the mechanism accommodating portion into a lock arm accommodating space and a wire connection mechanism accommodating space. This segmentation allows the mold part to access the lock arm from the front side without interfering with the wire connection mechanism, enabling both the lock arm and protection wall to be molded simultaneously in the same direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure that separates the lock arm and wire connection mechanism spatially. This mediator allows the mold part to move in a unified direction (frontward and rearward) while still providing adequate access to both components, eliminating the need for complex perpendicular mold movements.
3Length of stationary object
If the lock arm and protection wall are integrally molded with the housing on the same side as the mechanism accommodating portion, then the housing thickness is reduced, but the molding process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall creates distinct accommodating spaces for the lock arm and wire connection mechanism within the mechanism accommodating portion. This segmentation simplifies the molding process by allowing the mold part to access both components from the same direction (frontward and rearward), eliminating the need for complex multi-directional molding while still achieving integral molding of the lock arm and protection wall with the housing.
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 design enables the provision of a lock function without increasing the connector's thickness and allows for effective heat dissipation from the connection area, improving operational efficiency and manufacturing feasibility.
Implementation Method 1
By pushing the end of the electric wire in the slot against elastic force of the spring member, or inserting the end of the electric wire into the slot with the spring member elastically deformed by means of a tool for wire connection, the end of the electric wire is electrically connected to the contact and the end of the electric wire is retained in the terminal block with the elastic force of the spring member.
Implementation Method 2
the opening formed in the mechanism accommodating portion can contribute to releasing heat generated from a location of connection between the contact and the electric wire
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A quick connection type electrical connector (1) with a housing (4) retaining a contact (2). The housing (4) is integrally provided with a contact accommodating portion (41) for accommodating the contact (2), a mechanism accommodating portion (42) for accommodating an electric wire connection spring (3) for connecting an electric wire (7) to the contact (2), and a lock arm (43) supported on the contact accommodating portion (41) in front of the mechanism accommodating portion (42) for catching a mating object mated to the electrical connector (1). The mechanism accommodating portion (42) is formed with a mechanism front opening (421) located between a rear end portion (432) of the lock arm (43) and the electric wire connection spring (3). The electrical connector (1) allows molding of the lock arm (43) and a protection wall (44) integrally with the housing (4) on the same side of the housing as a mechanism accommodating portion (42) thereby providing a lock function while avoiding an increase in thickness.