Connector Retainer Locking Protrusion for Semi-Fit Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors with double-locked terminals face difficulties in reliably confirming the semi-fit state due to a small protrusion amount of the retainer, making it challenging to accurately determine if the terminal is in the semi-fit position.

Innovation Solution

The connector design includes a terminal locking protrusion with a base protrusion and a tip end protrusion, where the tip end protrusion enters the connection part in the terminal fit position, increasing the protrusion amount and allowing for accurate confirmation of the semi-fit state by detecting the retainer's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the protrusion amount of the retainer is increased to enable reliable confirmation of the semi-fit state, then the detectability of the semi-fit state is improved, but the retainer may protrude from the connector housing in the terminal fit position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetectability of semi-fit stateVSAvoidretainer position relative to connector housing

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal locking protrusion is divided into two functional segments: a base protrusion that contacts the rear wall of the terminal connection part, and a tip end protrusion that enters the connection part. This segmentation allows the retainer to have different effective protrusion amounts for different detection purposes while maintaining proper positioning in the fit state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal locking protrusion extends in the insertion direction (orthogonal to the terminal reception chamber axis), creating a dimensional advantage for detection. The tip end protrusion's position in this orthogonal dimension provides a clear indicator of the semi-fit state without affecting the radial positioning of the retainer relative to the connector housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Shape

If the protrusion amount of the retainer is kept small to avoid protruding from the connector housing, then the shape integrity is maintained, but the ability to reliably confirm the semi-fit state deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretainer position relative to connector housingVSAvoiddetectability of semi-fit state

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the tip end protrusion enters the connection part in the terminal fit position, then the locking reliability is improved, but the structural complexity of the retainer increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidretainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal locking protrusion combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: it provides locking engagement through the tip end protrusion entering the connection part, maintains positioning through the base protrusion contacting the rear wall, and enables detection of the semi-fit state through its overall geometry. This merging reduces the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal locking protrusion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a locking mechanism, a positioning element, and a detection indicator. The base protrusion and tip end protrusion work together to provide universal functionality across different operational states (insertion allowable position and terminal fit position).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9306326B2Connector

Publication Date: 2016.04.05 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

A connector (1) includes a connector housing (2), a terminal (3) received in a terminal reception chamber (21), and a retainer (4) inserted in a retainer insertion hole (22) of the connector housing (2) and configured to shift between a terminal insertion allowable position and a terminal fit position. A terminal locking protrusion (47) of the retainer (4) has a base protrusion (45) configured to come in contact with a rear wall (31b) of an opposite terminal connection part (31) of the terminal (3) with the retainer (4) being in the terminal fit position, and a tip end protrusion (46) provided on an enter-side face of the base protrusion (45) and configured to enter space inside a connection part (33) of the terminal (3) with the retainer (4) being in the terminal fit position.