Connector Locking Arm Recess Design for Molding Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face challenges in maintaining the front holder in a temporary locking position during transport, as it may unintentionally move to the main locking position due to external contact, and increasing the rigidity of the locking arm to prevent this can lead to molding issues such as sinks and voids.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a recess on the base portion of the front holder to reduce the length of the locking arm while increasing its thickness, along with an elastically deformable arm and support portion, which reduces the risk of sinks and voids during molding and prevents unintended movement to the main locking position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the base portion is increased to shorten the locking arm length, then the rigidity of the locking arm is improved, but sinks and voids occur during molding
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a recess in the width direction at the root portion of the locking arm, changing the dimensional approach from simply increasing thickness in the fitting direction to creating a localized geometric feature. This recess allows the base portion to have sufficient thickness for rigidity while providing relief during molding to prevent sinks and voids, effectively solving the contradiction by adding a dimensional feature rather than uniformly increasing thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess is strategically positioned only at the root portion of the locking arm where it connects to the base portion, concentrating the structural modification where it is most needed for rigidity while avoiding unnecessary changes elsewhere. This localized approach maintains molding quality in other areas while providing the necessary thickness adjustment at the critical root portion.
2Reliability
If the locking arm is made more rigid to prevent unintended movement, then the reliability of temporary locking is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is segmented into distinct functional zones: a thicker base portion for structural support and rigidity, and a thinner arm portion for elastic deformation during locking operations. The recess at the root portion further segments the structure to provide localized reinforcement without affecting the entire arm, thereby achieving reliable temporary locking while maintaining simplicity in the overall design.
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 effectively increases the rigidity of the locking arm, suppresses the generation of sinks and voids during molding, and prevents the front holder from unintentionally moving to the main locking position during transport, ensuring reliable detection of terminal insertion states.
Implementation Method 1
The arm (54) is elastically deformable in a direction away from the first locking portion (27)
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a housing and a holder. The housing includes a terminal housing chamber housing a terminals and a support portion in which a first locking portion for locking the holder in the temporary locking position is formed. The holder is mounted on the housing so as to be movable in a fitting direction of the housing and a mating housing between a temporary locking position and a main locking position. The holder is configured to be immovable from the temporary locking position to the main locking position when the terminal inserted into the terminal housing chamber is in a halfway insertion position and is configured to be movable from the temporary locking position to the main locking position when the terminal is in a normal insertion position.