Connector Peripheral Wall Opening and Detector Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with detecting members are bulky due to the presence of peripheral walls that surround the detecting member, making them difficult to miniaturize while maintaining effective connection and detection functionality.
Innovation Solution
A connector design that includes a first housing with a terminal accommodating portion surrounded by a peripheral wall, a second housing, and a detecting member that moves between initial and detection positions, with a circumferentially cut opening in the peripheral wall to expose the detecting member to the outer side, and deformation regulating portions on both the peripheral wall and detecting member to control the opening width, allowing for miniaturization and precise movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the peripheral wall is present at the outer peripheral side of the detecting member, then the structural integrity and support are improved, but the housing dimension increases and miniaturization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral wall is extracted (removed) from the outer peripheral side of the detecting member, creating an opening that exposes the detecting member. This removal eliminates the volume occupied by the peripheral wall while maintaining structural integrity through the deformation regulating portions that provide targeted support where needed.
2Volume of moving object
If the opening is formed on the peripheral wall to expose the detecting member, then miniaturization is enabled, but the peripheral wall may deform to change the opening width
Solution Approach 1:
Deformation regulating portions are provided in advance on both the peripheral wall and detecting member to prevent deformation before it occurs. These portions act as preliminary countermeasures that constrain the peripheral wall and detecting member, preventing unwanted changes in opening width during operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the deformation regulating portions are fitted between the peripheral wall and detecting member, then the opening width stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation regulating portions are merged with the peripheral wall and detecting member as integral structures rather than separate components. The rib on the peripheral wall and the groove on the detecting member form a unified constraint system that regulates deformation without requiring additional parts or complex assembly procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a first housing (10) with a terminal accommodating portion (11) surrounded by a peripheral wall (17), a second housing (60) connectable to the first housing (10), and a detector (40) to detect a connected state of the housings (10, 60) based on whether the detector (40) moves from an initial position to a detection position in a space between the terminal accommodating portion (11) and the peripheral wall (17). An opening (22) extends circumferentially in a part of the peripheral wall (17) and exposes the detector (40). Deformation regulating portions (23, 53) are formed on the peripheral wall (17) and the detector member (40) and permit movements of the detector (40) between the initial position and the detection position and regulate deformation of the peripheral wall (17) to enlarge an opening width of the opening (22) by being fit to each other.