Connector Retainer Detection Using an Interfering Front Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
In connectors with reduced sizes, the retainer may not sufficiently protrude when a terminal fitting is semi-inserted, leading to impaired detection of the insertion state and potential inadvertent fitting of a partner connector.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a retainer that moves between partially locked and fully locked positions, with a front member that intersects the retainer's movement path, incorporating an interference portion to detect the retainer's position and prevent the front member from reaching its mounted position if the retainer is not fully locked, ensuring accurate detection of the terminal fitting's insertion state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the connector size is reduced, then the compactness is improved, but the retainer protrusion distance is reduced leading to impaired detection function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by adding the front member that moves in a direction intersecting with the retainer's movement direction. This creates a two-dimensional detection mechanism where the front member's ability to reach the mounted position depends on both the retainer's position (rearward movement) and the front member's own movement, thereby maintaining detection precision in a compact connector design.
Solution Approach 2:
The front member acts as an intermediary element between the retainer and the mounted position. It transfers the detection function from the retainer alone to a combined system where the front member's movement is conditioned on the retainer's position, enabling reliable detection even when the retainer's protrusion is minimal due to size reduction.
2Volume of moving object
If the retainer protrusion is insufficient, then the connector size is reduced, but the fitting operation restriction is reduced leading to undetected semi-inserted state
Solution Approach 1:
The front member is designed to perform a preliminary movement toward the mounted position before actual fitting occurs. This preliminary action is blocked by the interference portion when the retainer is not fully locked, providing an early warning mechanism that prevents inadvertent fitting operations even in compact designs where retainer protrusion is limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection and prevention function is segmented into two independent but interconnected components: the retainer that locks the terminal fitting, and the front member with interference portion that provides the fitting operation restriction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to ensure reliable detection and prevention.
3Measurement precision
If the front member is added to intersect the retainer movement path, then the detection function is improved, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The front member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it is a structural component of the connector housing, a movable element that can reach the mounted position, and a detection mechanism through its interference portion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated detection components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection function is merged with the existing front member structure rather than being implemented as a separate dedicated sensor or indicator. The interference portion is integrated into the front member's geometry, combining the structural and detection functions into a single element, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector that can appropriately exhibit a detection function of a retainer is provided. A retainer 12 is disposed so as to be moveable between a partially locked position and a fully locked position relative to a housing 11. A front member 13 moves in a direction that intersects a movement direction of the retainer 12 with respect to the housing 11, and is mounted to the housing 11. The front member 13 has an interference portion 61 configured to interfere with the retainer 12 at the partially locked position or an intermediate position along a path from the partially locked position to the fully locked position when the front member 13 moves toward the mounted position.