Electric Connector Retainer Locking via Partition Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric connectors face challenges in stably securing the strength with which the housing holds the retainer, as the rigidity and thickness of the housing walls determine this strength, and design restrictions can compromise this stability.
Innovation Solution
The electric connector design includes a retainer with a locked portion locked by a partition wall between terminal housing chamber groups, featuring a protrusion and a locking portion that enhances stability without increasing the housing's dimensions, and inner walls with notches to accommodate the retainer's varying dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the retainer is locked by an outer wall or inner wall of the housing, then the locking mechanism is simple, but the strength with which the housing holds the retainer cannot be stably secured when wall thickness is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from locking in the lateral direction (parallel to wall surface) to locking in the front-and-rear direction (perpendicular to wall surface) by forming the locking portion at the tip of the partition wall, thereby increasing retention strength without adding complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking portion is concentrated at the specific location of the partition wall tip rather than distributed along the entire wall, creating a localized high-strength locking point that maximizes retention with minimal material
2Strength
If the housing wall thickness is increased to improve retention strength, then the locking strength improves, but the housing dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism utilizes the front-and-rear direction (depth dimension) by forming the locking portion at the partition wall tip, allowing strong retention without increasing lateral wall thickness, thus maintaining compact housing dimensions
3Manufacturing precision
If the retainer locked portion is designed with varying dimensions, then the locking accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer's locked portion has varying dimensions only at the critical locking tip area to match the partition wall locking portion, while other parts remain simple, achieving precise locking without overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is divided into functional segments: the locked portion with varying dimensions for precise locking, and other uniform sections for simple manufacturing, balancing precision and complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An electric connector includes: a plurality of metal terminals; a housing including a plurality of terminal housing chambers, and a retainer insertion hole extending in a lateral direction perpendicular to a front-and-rear direction that corresponds to an insertion direction of the plurality of metal terminals; and a retainer holding the plurality of metal terminals inserted into the plurality of terminal housing chambers, wherein the plurality of terminal housing chambers constitutes each of first and second terminal housing chamber groups, the housing includes a partition wall arranged between the first and second terminal housing chamber groups, the partition wall is provided with a retainer opening, and a locking portion configured to lock a locked portion of the retainer is formed in the retainer opening.