Connector Lock Piece Segmentation for Stable Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors with integrally formed lock pieces and retaining portions experience unstable engagement due to oblique deformation, leading to point contact and abrasion issues when inserting or withdrawing the retainer into the connector housing.
Innovation Solution
A connector design where the lock piece is separated from the retaining portion by a slit, allowing independent resilient deformation and proper posture engagement with the lock portion, preventing aberrant deformation and abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lock piece is integrally formed with the retaining portion, then the structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the lock piece deforms obliquely forward during engagement causing point contact and unstable locking
Solution Approach 1:
The lock piece is separated from the retaining portion by a slit, dividing the originally integral structure into two independent components. This segmentation allows the lock piece to deform independently in the proper posture without being constrained by the retaining portion, thereby achieving stable engagement with the lock portion while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the retained integral base body connection.
2Device complexity
If the lock piece is integrally formed with the retaining portion, then device complexity is reduced, but abrasion occurs at contact points during insertion and withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a slit to separate the lock piece from the retaining portion, the structure enables proper alignment during engagement. This prevents the oblique movement that causes abrasion, thereby reducing wear on both the lock piece and lock portion while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
3Reliability
If the lock piece is separated from the retaining portion, then proper deformation posture is achieved and engagement stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock piece is separated from the retaining portion through a slit, enabling independent deformation and proper engagement posture. This segmentation achieves stable engagement while minimizing complexity increase, as the base body remains integrally formed and the separation is achieved through a simple structural modification rather than complete disassembly.
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 stabilizes the engaged state of the lock piece and lock portion, reducing abrasion and ensuring proper deformation, thereby enhancing the reliability of the connector's locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a lock piece which is arranged adjacent to the retaining portion in a direction intersecting with an inserting direction of the retaining portion while standing up from a base body integrally formed to the retaining portion, resiliently deformed with a part coupled to the base body as a support point by moving onto a lock portion formed in the connector housing
Data Source
AI summary
A connector (10) includes a female housing (20) for accommodating female terminals (24) and a retainer (40) mountable in female housing (20). The retainer (40) includes a retaining portion (41) that retains the female terminals (24) by being inserted into a retainer mounting hole (27) in the female housing (20). Locks (46) are adjacent to the retaining portion (41) in a direction intersecting an inserting direction of the retaining portion (41) while standing up from bases (45) integral to the retaining portion (41). The locks (46) resiliently deform by moving onto partial locking projections (30) and full locking projections (31) formed in the female housing (20), and resiliently restore to engage the partial locking projections (30) and the full locking projections (31). The lock pieces (46) are separated from the retaining portion (41).