In-line Sealed Electrical Connector Position Assurance Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing in-line electrical connector apparatus lacks assurance that the male housing assembly and female housing assembly remain engaged and locked, leading to potential disengagement during use.

Innovation Solution

A connector apparatus position assurance device with contiguous parts that engage the retention clip of the male connector assembly at various stages of insertion, ensuring the female connector assembly is fully mated before allowing the device to reach the final lock position, thereby securing the male and female connector assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no position assurance device is used, then the connector apparatus is simpler, but the male and female connector assemblies cannot be ensured to remain engaged and locked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement assuranceVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The position assurance device is divided into multiple functional segments: a body portion, a finger portion with multiple fingers, and a tail portion. Each segment performs a specific function in the locking sequence, allowing the device to ensure reliable engagement through structured segmentation of the locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The position assurance device performs preliminary actions by sequentially engaging the retention clip fingers at different stages of insertion. The device must first be fully inserted into the male connector assembly before the female connector assembly can be mated, ensuring that locking actions occur in the correct sequence and preventing premature disengagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the connector apparatus position assurance device requires full insertion before locking, then engagement reliability is improved, but the insertion process becomes more complex with multiple stages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking assuranceVSAvoidinsertion process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The position assurance device utilizes the insertion force itself to perform the locking function. As the device is pushed into the male connector assembly, its fingers automatically engage with the retention clip at appropriate stages, and the full insertion automatically triggers the locking mechanism without requiring additional manual operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The position assurance device acts as an intermediary between the male and female connector assemblies. It mediates the engagement process by controlling when the retention clip can lock the female assembly, ensuring that full insertion occurs before locking while simplifying the overall operation into a single push motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the position assurance device engages the retention clip at multiple levels, then engagement reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement assuranceVSAvoidposition assurance device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The position assurance device performs multiple functions within a single integrated structure: it guides insertion, engages the retention clip at multiple stages through its fingers, prevents premature mating, and ensures final locking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while maintaining high engagement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The finger portion of the position assurance device is nested within the body portion, with fingers extending from the body to engage the retention clip. This nested structure allows multiple engagement points to be incorporated without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as the fingers are integrated into the body rather than being separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS8888521B2In-line sealed electrical connector apparatus having a connector apparatus position assurance device, and locking method thereof

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 JST CORP

AI summary

A connector apparatus position assurance device ensures that a male connector assembly and a female connector assembly of an in-line sealed electrical connector apparatus of the present invention remain engaged. The connector apparatus position assurance device has contiguous parts that engage various parts of a retention clip of the male connector assembly at different levels of insertion of the connector apparatus position assurance device into the male connector assembly. The insertion of the connector apparatus position assurance device is also accomplished at various stages (i.e., from pre-lock position to final lock position) depending on the insertion level of the female connector assembly into the male connector assembly. Consequently, the effect of the level of insertion of the female connector assembly ensures that the male and female connector assemblies remain engaged.