Connector Positioning for Compact Locking and Short-Circuiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for wire harnesses have a room for improvement in the arrangement of mechanisms, particularly in the positional relation among locking, short-circuiting, and fitting assurance components, leading to a larger size and suboptimal function exertion.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a first housing with a locking portion, second housing with a locking mechanism, a fitting detection member, and a short-circuiting piece, where contact and locking positions are distinct and located on different outer surfaces, allowing for improved positional alignment and function separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a CPA member is provided to cover the outer side of the female connector for fitting assurance, then the reliability of fitting is improved, but the connector size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The CPA lock portion is nested within the locking mechanism structure, where the third locking portion integrates with the existing locking portions. The CPA member utilizes the same locking portion projections as nesting points, allowing the fitting assurance function to be incorporated without adding external volume to the connector assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If various mechanisms (locking, short-circuiting, fitting assurance) are arranged in the connector, then the functionality is improved, but the positional relation among mechanisms becomes complex and difficult to optimize
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portions serve multiple functions: they provide locking action between male and female connectors, serve as climbing paths for the CPA lock portion to enable fitting assurance, and provide locking positions for terminals. By making the locking portions multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated structures for each function, thereby simplifying the overall positional arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fitting assurance mechanism with the locking mechanism by having the CPA lock portion interact with the same locking portion projections that are used for terminal locking and connector locking. This consolidation of functions into shared structural elements simplifies the spatial relationship among mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If contact positions and locking positions are located on the same outer surface of terminals, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the functional performance of locking and short-circuiting is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the functional zones on the terminal outer surfaces. Different outer circumferential surfaces are designated for different functions: one surface provides the contact position for short-circuiting pieces, while another surface provides the locking position for locking mechanisms. This localized functional differentiation ensures that each mechanism operates optimally without interfering with the other, while still maintaining manufacturability through clear geometric definition.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a male housing having a male beak, a plurality of male terminals, a female housing having a female lock portion climbing over the male beak to be locked to the male beak in a fitted state with the male housing, a plurality of female terminals aligned in the alignment direction in the female housing and connected to the respective male terminals in the fitted state, a CPA member having a CPA lock portion capable of being locked to the female lock portion at a fitting assurance position, and short-circuiting pieces provided in the female housing and short-circuiting the adjacent female terminals in the female housing in a non-fitted state. Contact positions between the female terminals and the short-circuiting pieces and locking positions at which the female terminals are locked in the female housing are different from each other about a fitting direction when viewed therefrom.