Connector Locking Structure for Easier Fitting Member Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors require complex adjustments for attaching the fitting detection member due to its insertion posture, as it rides on and over locking protrusions on the housing's outer surface, complicating the attachment process.
Innovation Solution
A connector design where a space is defined between the housing's outer peripheral surface and locked protrusions, allowing the locking protrusion of the fitting detection member to pass through from the rear to the front, simplifying the attachment by eliminating the need for adjusting the insertion posture and reducing insertion resistance with inclined surfaces guiding the protrusion into place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fitting detection member rides on locking portions provided on the outer peripheral surface of the housing, then the fitting detection member can be locked to the housing, but the insertion posture adjustment becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the locking protrusion ride over the locked protrusion on the outer surface, the invention inverts the approach by having the locking protrusion pass through a space defined between the outer peripheral surface and the locked protrusion, from rear end toward front end, achieving locking through a different spatial path that simplifies insertion posture
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a surface-based locking approach (riding on the outer peripheral surface) to a volumetric approach by defining a space between the outer peripheral surface and the locked protrusion, allowing the locking protrusion to pass through this three-dimensional space, thereby simplifying the attachment process
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a housing configured to be fitted to a counterpart housing and having a terminal accommodating chamber configured to accommodate a terminal, and a fitting detection member slidably attached to the housing and configured to detect fitting between the housing and the counterpart housing. The fitting detection member includes a locking protrusion to be locked to a locked protrusion of the housing. In the housing, a space configured to allow the locking protrusion to pass in a sliding direction of the fitting detection member is defined between an outer peripheral surface of the housing and the locked protrusion. The locking protrusion passes through the space from a rear end toward a front end in the sliding direction and is locked to the locked protrusion.