Connector Housing Retainer Insertion Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors require an inner housing to attach a side-type retainer, increasing the number of parts and complicating the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A connector design that allows a side-type retainer to be incorporated from the mating front side without additional parts, using a housing with a retainer insertion space and a locking mechanism involving a locking claw and protrusion for secure engagement, preventing detachment of the retainer and terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an inner housing is added to attach a side-type retainer, then the retainer can be securely attached to the connector housing, but the number of parts increases and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retainer attachment function directly into the connector housing by forming a retainer attachment cavity within the housing body itself, eliminating the need for a separate inner housing. The locking protrusion and locking groove features are integrated directly into the housing structure, allowing the retainer to be securely attached without additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the retainer attachment function from the inner housing structure and relocates it directly to the connector housing. By removing the inner housing component and integrating its attachment functionality into the main housing, the design reduces part count while maintaining the security of retainer attachment.
2Reliability
If an inner housing with lance structure is used, then the terminal can be locked, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the terminal locking function with the retainer attachment mechanism by integrating the lance structure directly into the connector housing. The locking protrusion on the housing works directly with the locking groove on the terminal, eliminating the need for a separate inner housing with lance structure and simplifying the assembly process to a single-step operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the terminal locking function from the inner housing and relocates it to the main connector housing. By removing the inner housing component, the assembly process is simplified to involve only the housing, retainer, and terminal, reducing the number of assembly steps while maintaining reliable terminal locking.
3Ease of operation
If a side aperture is provided in the housing, then the retainer can be attached from the side, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing a side aperture for retainer attachment, the patent inverts the approach by creating a retainer attachment cavity that opens from the front surface of the housing. The locking protrusion extends from the front surface, allowing the retainer to be attached from the front rather than the side, thereby simplifying the housing structure without compromising ease of operation.
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
Enables easy insertion and secure retention of the retainer within the housing, preventing the retainer from falling off and ensuring the terminal remains locked in place, while allowing for pre-locked and full-locked states for detachment or retention.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the locking claw and the locking protrusion has elasticity
Implementation Method 2
the lance extending along the connector mating direction, being engaged with a locking portion formed in the front side of the connector terminal accommodated in the accommodation passage, with respect to the connector mating direction, and being capable of bending toward the vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a housing including an accommodation passage and a retainer insertion space, and a retainer including an insertion wall extending along the connector mating direction and a locking claw protruding from a rear portion thereof toward an accommodation passage direction. In the housing, a locking protrusion is provided at a rear portion of the retainer insertion space. When the retainer is inserted into the retainer insertion space from a connector mating front side, the locking claw gets over the locking protrusion to be engaged therewith, and thus a pre-locked position at which detachment of the retainer to the front side is prevented is obtained. When the retainer is moved in a widthwise direction, a full-locked position at which the locking claw engages with a step in the rear portion of the connector terminal, and detachment of the connector terminal toward the rear side is prevented is obtained.