Pass-Through Connector Locking Element for Rear-Side Serviceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pass-through connectors in the automotive industry are difficult to disassemble, making serviceability challenging, especially for non-specialist operators, and the fixation mechanism is not very reliable.
Innovation Solution
A pass-through connector design featuring an outer hooking member and an inner hooking member that engage for retention, along with a locking element that can be manually operated to unlock and facilitate disassembly, ensuring easier assembly and disassembly without the need for specialized tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retention lances are used to fix the inner head to the outer head, then the connector is retained securely, but the connector becomes difficult to disassemble requiring specialized tools and expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to be movable between locked and unlocked positions, transforming a static retention mechanism into a dynamic one that can adapt between securing and releasing states, enabling easy disassembly while maintaining secure retention during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element acts as an intermediary component between the inner and outer heads, mediating the retention function by engaging with the retention lances to lock the connector assembly, and can be manually actuated to release this engagement for disassembly
2Reliability
If multiple retention lances must be actuated concurrently, then secure retention is achieved, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element combines the function of actuating multiple retention lances into a single integrated component, allowing one manual operation to simultaneously engage or disengage all retention lances, thereby simplifying the assembly process while maintaining secure retention
3Ease of repair
If retention lances are bent for disassembly, then the connector can be separated, but the operation requires long thin tools and is difficult to access in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element enables the connector assembly to be unlocked and disassembled by direct manual operation without requiring external specialized tools, allowing the system to service itself through simple user action even in confined spaces
Data Source
Figure 1b~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
Disclosure relates to a pass-through connector (7), adapted to be mated with a counter-connector (8), comprising an inner head (1) and an outer head (3) to be assembled with each other, across an orifice (40) of a shield and/or wall, to bear terminals and be mated with said counter-connector. Said connector comprises hooking members (34, 14) on both outer(3) and inner(1) heads, arranged for engaging together for retaining said heads together once in assembled position. It comprises a locking element (2), mounted on the inner head (1), mobile between an unlocked position (Fig.10) allowing assembling both heads together and a locked position (Fig.12) preventing hooking members disengaging from each other, preferably by manual-only operation. Locking element(2) comprises one or several assistance members (21,211), that cooperates with hooking members (14,111) for disengaging them from one another when said locking element is moved (D2) from its locked position to its unlocked position.