Connector Retainer Front Wall for Locking Lance Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors require a separate front member to protect the locking lance, increasing the number of components and complicating the design.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing body with a cavity and a retainer portion that rotates to lock the terminal fitting, where the retainer portion includes a restricting portion and a front wall to protect the locking lance, eliminating the need for a separate front holder and simplifying the configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate front member is added to protect the locking lance, then the locking lance is protected, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking lance protection function with the retainer portion by adding a front wall to the retainer portion. This merges two previously separate functions (locking and protection) into a single component, eliminating the need for a separate front member while maintaining the protection of the locking lance.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer portion is designed to perform multiple functions: it retains the terminal fitting through the restricting portion and simultaneously protects the locking lance through the front wall. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining system reliability.
2Reliability
If a separate front member is added to protect the locking lance, then the locking lance is protected, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the protection function into the existing retainer portion structure, the patent avoids adding separate protective components that would increase overall device volume. The front wall is incorporated into the retainer portion's existing spatial envelope.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a terminal fitting, a housing body, a retainer portion and a hinge portion. The housing body accommodates the terminal fitting. The retainer portion openably and closably rotate with respect to the housing body. The hinge portion is coupled to the retainer portion and the housing body and constitutes a rotation center axis of the retainer portion. The housing body includes a cavity configured to accommodate the terminal fitting inside and a locking lance projecting into the cavity to lock the terminal fitting. The retainer portion includes a restricting portion configured to restrict rearward escape of the terminal fitting by projecting into the cavity when the retainer portion is in a closed state with respect to the housing body, and a front wall arranged in front of the locking lance in the closed state.