Connector Protection Walls for Drop Impact Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire-side connectors lack protection for terminal fittings when dropped, as they lack partition walls on opposite sides, leading to potential damage upon impact with a ground surface.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring protection walls on both sides of the terminal group, which project from the housing and are positioned to collide with the ground before the external connecting portions, preventing damage by absorbing the impact and shielding the terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If partition walls are provided only on sides of terminal fittings, then manufacturing is simplified, but terminal fittings are vulnerable to damage when dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is segmented into multiple functional regions: terminal fitting holding regions with side partition walls, and protection wall regions with first and second protection walls extending from the housing. This segmentation allows each region to serve its specific purpose - side partitions for structural organization and protection walls for impact protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second protection walls are positioned to extend beyond the terminal fittings in the direction toward the opening, creating a protective barrier that will absorb impact before the terminal fittings can contact the ground. This beforehand cushioning prevents damage to the terminal fittings during accidental drops.
2Reliability
If protection walls are added to protect terminals, then terminal protection is improved, but connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection walls extend in the depth direction (from the opening toward the rear) rather than increasing the lateral dimensions of the connector. This dimensional approach allows protection functionality to be added without significantly increasing the connector's overall volume or footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it holds the terminal fittings, provides side partitioning for organization, and extends protection walls for impact protection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components that would increase volume.
3Device complexity
If no protection walls are provided, then device complexity is reduced, but terminal fittings collide with ground surface causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second protection walls act as intermediary elements between the terminal fittings and the ground surface. When impact occurs, these protection walls contact the ground first, serving as a mediator that absorbs the harmful impact force before it can reach the terminal fittings.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection walls are positioned to provide preliminary resistance against impact forces before the terminal fittings can be damaged. By extending beyond the terminal fittings toward the opening, they create a first line of defense that counteracts the harmful effect of ground contact.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector (10) has a housing (20) including a body (21). A work hole (23) long in a lateral direction penetrates through the body (21). Terminals (30) are held in the housing (20) and are arranged side by side in the lateral direction in the work hole (23). Each terminal (30) includes an embedded portion (31) embedded in the housing (20), an internal connecting portion (32) connected to the embedded portion (31) and disposed inside the work hole (23) and an external connecting portion (33) connected to the internal connecting portion (32) and disposed outside the work hole (23). Protection walls (22) project from the body (21) at both sides of a terminals (30). Tip parts of the protection walls (22) are more distant from the body (21) than the external connecting portions (33) in a penetration direction of the work hole (23).