Connector Retainer With Deflecting And Fixing Pieces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors require three components to secure a cable, increasing costs and risking damage during assembly due to the complexity of the strain relief mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A connector design that uses a housing with a rubber plug and a retainer, featuring deflecting and fixing pieces that hold the wire in place with a two-component system, reducing the risk of damage by gradually applying force and suppressing wire expansion, while allowing for a smaller connector size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If three components (outer housing assembly, collet, and retainer) are used to secure the cable, then the cable is reliably held, but the cost increases and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the outer housing assembly, collet, and retainer into a single integrated retainer component. The retainer includes both a deflecting piece (functionally similar to the collet's finger-like portion) and a fixing piece (functionally similar to the outer housing assembly's shielding structure), reducing the component count from three to two while maintaining cable holding reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs cable gripping (via the deflecting piece), shielding (via the fixing piece), and structural support functions. This universal design eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing complexity while preserving reliability
2Reliability
If the deflecting piece is pushed into the wire outer peripheral surface during assembly, then the wire is held securely, but the wire coating may be damaged due to biting forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the deflecting piece by adding a lance (protrusion) that contacts the wire outer peripheral surface first. This changes the interaction mechanism from direct biting to gradual pushing, distributing the force over a larger area and time period, thereby preventing coating damage while maintaining retention reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The lance on the deflecting piece performs a preliminary action by making initial contact with the wire outer peripheral surface before the main body of the deflecting piece engages. This preliminary contact gradually pushes the wire outward, preparing it for secure engagement without causing sudden biting forces that would damage the coating
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
The solution reduces the number of components needed to secure a wire, minimizing the risk of damage during assembly and maintaining effective wire retention with a two-component system, while also enabling a more compact connector design.
Implementation Method 1
The deflecting piece is relatively displaceable with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the wire... the deflecting piece gradually pushes the outer peripheral surface of the wire as the retainer is assembled with the housing
Implementation Method 2
The housing includes a push-in piece for pushing the deflecting piece into the outer peripheral surface of the wire... the wire is pressed by both the deflecting piece and the fixing piece and is held in the retainer
Data Source
AI summary
A connector (10) has a wire, a rubber plug (60) fit on an outer surface of the wire and a housing 20 including a forwardly-open plug accommodating portion (22). The rubber plug (60) is sandwiched between an inner peripheral surface of the plug accommodating portion (22) and the outer surface of the wire. A retainer holds the rubber plug 60 in the plug accommodating portion (22) by being mounted on the plug accommodating portion (22) from the front. The retainer includes deflecting pieces (35) relatively displaceable with respect to the outer surface of the wire and fixing pieces (36) relatively undisplaceable with respect to the wire. The housing (20) includes push-in pieces (25) for pushing the deflecting pieces (35) into the outer surface of the wire. The wire is held in the retainer by the deflecting pieces (35) pushed into the surface of the wire and the fixing pieces (36).