Connector Retaining Mechanism for Inner Terminal Housing Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coaxial cable connectors lack a secure and standardized mechanism for retaining inner terminal housings, leading to potential misconnection and instability in automotive applications.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a retaining device that moves between pre-staged and staged positions, featuring flexible primary locking arms and a terminal retaining wall, which allows insertion and inhibits removal of inner terminal housings, ensuring secure seating and preventing improper installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coaxial cable connectors are used, then the connector structure is simple, but the retention mechanism for inner terminal housings is insecure leading to potential misconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed as a movable component that transitions between a pre-staged position (allowing insertion) and a staged position (providing secure retention). This dynamic mechanism enables the connector to adapt its retention force based on the installation state, ensuring secure retention while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is divided into distinct functional elements: compliant cantilevered arms with latch features for engagement, and a terminal retaining wall for blocking removal. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, providing secure retention without excessive overall complexity.
2Reliability
If a secure retention mechanism is implemented, then misconnection is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant cantilevered arms automatically engage with the grooves on the inner terminal housing through their own elasticity, without requiring additional actuation mechanisms. The retainer self-secures in the staged position once inserted, providing reliable retention through its inherent mechanical properties rather than complex control systems.
3Reliability
If the retainer is in the staged position, then inner terminal housings are securely retained, but operators cannot detect improper seating
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly provides tactile feedback to the operator during assembly. When the retainer is properly inserted into the staged position, the compliant cantilevered arms engage with the grooves and the terminal retaining wall blocks the cavities, creating a distinct mechanical sensation that confirms proper installation. This feedback mechanism allows operators to verify correct seating without additional detection devices.
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 provides a secure and standardized method for retaining inner terminal housings, preventing misconnection and ensuring proper installation, while alerting operators of improper seating through inhibited movement.
Implementation Method 1
The connector body further includes flexible primary locking arms configured to retain the inner terminal housings within the cavities
Implementation Method 2
The retaining device has a generally planar base portion and a pair of complaint cantilevered arms having fixed ends attached to the base and extending from two opposed distal edges of the base
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A connector assembly (10) includes a connector body (16) defining a plurality of cavities (18), extending longitudinally through the connector body (16). The cavities (18) are configured to receive inner terminal housings (46) configured to hold electrical terminals (14) attached to electrical cables (12) disposed within the cavities (18). The connector assembly (10) further includes a retaining device (26) slidably attached to the connector body (16) and moveable from a pre-staged position (30) to a staged position (32). The retaining device (26) allows the inner terminal housings (46) to be inserted or removed from the cavities (18) when in the pre-staged position (30) and inhibits the inner terminal housings from being inserted or removed from the cavities (18) when in the staged position (32).