Connector Retainer Escaping Portion Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors fail to correctly displace a retainer between partial and full locking positions when accommodating terminals of different sizes, leading to misalignment of locking lances and reduced rigidity, which prevents secure locking of larger terminals due to interference with the retainer's passage path.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with a housing that includes a retainer with an escaping portion, reinforced to prevent deformation, allowing a second locking lance to fit and securely lock larger terminals, even if their locking positions are not aligned, ensuring proper displacement between locking positions through a reinforcement that transmits forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the retainer is cut to provide an escaping portion for fitting large locking lances, then large terminals can be locked, but the rigidity between the lock and operating portion is reduced, preventing sufficient force transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The escaping portion is segmented into multiple regions: a first region with reduced thickness for fitting the large locking lance, and a second region with maintained thickness for preserving rigidity and force transmission. This segmentation allows the retainer to simultaneously accommodate large locking lances while maintaining sufficient structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer exhibits local quality variations in the escaping portion, where specific areas have reduced thickness to accommodate locking lances while other areas maintain original thickness to preserve rigidity. This localized differentiation enables the structure to be both adaptable and strong in different regions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If locking lances for large terminals are assembled with the housing, then large terminals can be locked, but the locking lances interfere with the retainer's passage path
Solution Approach 1:
The large locking lances are nested within the escaping portion of the retainer. The escaping portion is formed with a thickness that allows the locking lances to be fitted inside while the retainer maintains its structural integrity and ability to displace between locking positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The escaping portion is positioned in a specific spatial relationship with the locking lances, creating a three-dimensional arrangement where the retainer can displace along its passage path without interfering with the locking lances that are fitted within the escaping portion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If positions where terminals are locked by locking lances are not aligned in front-back direction, then all terminals can be locked, but the second locking lance overlaps the retainer passage path
Solution Approach 1:
The escaping portion is divided into a first region with reduced thickness for fitting the second locking lance and a second region with maintained thickness for preserving rigidity. This segmentation allows the retainer to accommodate non-aligned locking positions while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The escaping portion is pre-formed in the retainer with appropriate thickness variations before the locking lances are assembled. This preliminary structuring enables subsequent assembly of locking lances at non-aligned positions without requiring complex modifications during assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector (10) includes a housing (30) with a terminal accommodating portion (31) into which a plurality of differently dimensioned terminals (20) are to be accommodated, and a retainer (60) retains the terminals (20) by being inserted through a side surface of the housing (30). The retainer (60) is moved laterally by operating an operating portion (63) and is held at a partial locking position and a full locking position by locking pieces (65) of the retainer (60) that engage locked portions (44) of the housing (30). The terminals (20) include medium terminals (20M) locked by medium locking lances (56) fit into an escaping portion (68) between the operating portion (63) and the locking pieces (65) in the retainer (60). The escaping portion (68) includes a reinforcement (69) for preventing deformation of the escaping portion (68).