Connector Locking Lance Reinforcement Ribs Warping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reliability of a connector's retaining function is compromised due to warping of the locking lance when a terminal fitting is pulled backward, leading to a decrease in shear strength.
Innovation Solution
The integration of reinforcing ribs along the locking lance, which enhances its rigidity and prevents warping, combined with receiving portions and restrictions that restrict deformation, ensures the locking lance maintains its structural integrity under backward pulling forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the locking lance is made resiliently deformable to allow insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to warping when pulled backward
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lance is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional thickness, having a thinner portion that enables resilient deformation for easy insertion, and a thicker portion that provides high rigidity to prevent warping during retention, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lance is divided into functionally distinct segments: a front portion with the locking projection for engagement, a middle resilient portion for deformation during insertion, and a rear thicker portion for structural support and warping prevention, allowing each segment to optimize its local function
2Reliability
If the locking lance is made more rigid to prevent warping, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced deformability
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lance employs local quality variation through non-uniform cross-sectional thickness, with the front portion being thinner to allow resilient deformation for easy insertion, while the rear portion is thicker to provide the rigidity needed to prevent warping and ensure reliable retention
3Strength
If the cross-sectional thickness is increased to prevent warping, then the strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly increasing the cross-sectional thickness throughout the locking lance, the invention applies local quality by varying the thickness only in specific regions - the rear portion is thicker for warping prevention while the front portion remains thinner for resilient deformation, thus achieving high strength without excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lance is segmented into regions with different thickness characteristics, allowing the thicker rear portion to provide warping resistance only where structurally necessary, rather than adding complexity throughout the entire component
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 warping of the locking lance, maintaining the connector's retaining function and ensuring high rigidity, thereby enhancing the reliability of the terminal fitting's retention.
Implementation Method 1
a locking lance which is resiliently deformable in directions toward and away from the terminal accommodating chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a housing (10) made of synthetic resin and formed with a terminal accommodating chamber (11). A resiliently deformable locking lance (12) is cantilevered forward along an inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber (11) and a locking projection (15) is formed on the locking lance (12). A terminal fitting (30) is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber (11) from behind and has a locking hole (33) configured to engage the locking projection (15) when the terminal fitting (30) is inserted in the terminal accommodating chamber (11). Reinforcing ribs (20) are formed integrally on the locking lance (12) and project in a direction opposite to the terminal accommodating chamber (11) in a resilient deforming direction of the locking lance (12).