Connector Retainer with Deflection Restricting Lance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector structures are overly complex due to the need for specialized structures to support and lock terminal fittings, including recessed guide grooves and interference avoiding grooves, which complicate the design and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A simplified connector design featuring a deflectable locking lance and a retainer with a deflection restricting portion that restricts the locking lance's deflection and supports the terminal fitting, eliminating the need for a dedicated lance guiding structure and allowing for stable retention without additional complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If guide grooves and interference avoiding grooves are recessed into the connector housing and retainer to support the terminal and restrict tilt, then the terminal fitting is supported and tilted, but the structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal support stabilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex recessed guide grooves and interference avoiding grooves from both the connector housing and retainer. Instead, it uses a simple retainer with a lateral support surface that contacts the terminal fitting's stabilizer, eliminating the need for complicated grooved structures while maintaining terminal support and tilt restriction functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer is designed to perform multiple functions with a simple structure: it provides primary retention by engaging the terminal fitting, secondary retention through the support that contacts the stabilizer, and tilt restriction through the lateral support surface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized structures like guide grooves and interference avoiding grooves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a locking lance is made deflectable to lock the terminal fitting, then the locking mechanism is flexible, but the locking lance may deflect excessively without restriction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking mechanism flexibilityVSAvoidlocking lance deflection control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a retainer as an intermediary component between the locking lance and the terminal fitting. The retainer includes a deflection restricting portion that enters the locking lance's deflection space, acting as a mediator that allows controlled deflection for locking while preventing excessive deflection, thus maintaining both flexibility and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10566725B2Connector with laterally mounted retainer for supporting and locking a terminal fitting

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A connector housing (10) includes a terminal inserting portion (15) into which deflectable locking lances (23) project, and a retainer mounting hole (26) communicating with the terminal inserting portion (15) and open in one surface facing in a direction intersecting an inserting direction of a terminal fitting (70). A retainer (40) is inserted into the retainer mounting hole (26). The retainer (40) includes a deflection restricting portion (44) configured to restrict the deflection of the locking lance (23) by entering a deflection space (58) for the locking lance (23) with the retainer (40) inserted to a proper depth in the retainer mounting hole (26) and supports (43) capable of supporting the terminal fitting (70) by being located to be able to come into contact with the terminal fitting (70).