Automotive Connector Positioning Member and Terminal Fixing Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive electrical connectors lack reliable and efficient mechanisms for secure connection and disconnection, leading to potential detachment issues and assembly complexities.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an automotive electrical plug connector with an insulated housing, plug terminals, terminal fixing plates, and a positioning member featuring elastic arms and latches, which ensure proper alignment and locking with the receptacle connector, utilizing buckling grooves and engaging grooves to prevent unintentional detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connector position assurance devices are used to prevent unintentional detachment, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the positioning member: it provides positioning guidance through the engaging groove, enables locking through the latch mechanism, and allows for easy release through the elastic arm. This integration of positioning, locking, and release functions into a single component achieves reliable connection while reducing overall device complexity compared to using separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arm provides self-service by automatically returning to its original position after the positioning member is inserted, which automatically engages the latch without requiring additional actuation. This self-actuating mechanism improves connection reliability while minimizing the complexity of control systems needed.
2Reliability
If multiple positioning and locking mechanisms are implemented, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member is segmented into distinct functional elements: the engaging groove for positioning, the latch for locking, and the elastic arm for release. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, making the overall operation simpler and more intuitive despite the multiple functions integrated into one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arm introduces dynamic behavior to the system, allowing the positioning member to transition between locked and unlocked states through simple insertion and removal motions. This dynamic element enables easy operation while maintaining reliable locking during normal use, as the elastic arm automatically engages and disengages the latch mechanism.
3Reliability
If terminal fixing plates and buckling grooves are used to secure terminals, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal fixing plates and buckling grooves are designed as integrated features of the housing structure, combining terminal retention functionality with the overall housing geometry. This integration reduces the number of separate components needed for terminal securing, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliable terminal attachment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances connection reliability by ensuring proper alignment and secure locking of the plug and receptacle connectors, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly while preventing accidental detachment, thus improving the overall electrical system's reliability and reducing assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
The protruding block is protruding from an inner portion of the elastic arm. When the positioning member is at a locked position, the protruding block of the elastic arm is buckled with the recessed groove of the positioning member
Implementation Method 2
Each of the terminal fixing plates is abutted against the end portion of the corresponding cover
Implementation Method 3
Each of the terminal fixing plates is abutted against the end portion of the corresponding cover
Implementation Method 4
the tongue portion of the positioning member is abutted against the inner lateral surface of the latch, so that the latch is positioned
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive electrical plug connector and an automotive electrical receptacle connector mating with the automotive electrical plug connector are provided. The automotive electrical plug connector includes an insulated housing electrical plug connector includes an insulated housing, plug terminals, terminal fixing plates, and a positioning member. Upper and lower surfaces of the insulated housing has buckling grooves for positioning the terminal fixing plates, so that the front ends of the terminal fixing plates are abutted against the plug terminals, and the plug terminals can be prevented from detaching off terminal grooves of the insulated housing. Moreover, when the positioning member is assembled in an engaging groove at the side surface of the insulated housing, the positioning member is moved from a movable position to a locked position, and the automotive electrical plug connector and the automotive electrical receptacle connector can be locked with each other.