Connector Retainer With Extended Pushing Surface and Posture Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors face difficulties in smooth mounting due to miniaturization, which makes the pushing surface smaller and inclined, making it hard to insert the retainer properly into the housing.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with a retainer featuring an extended portion that intersects the inserting direction, a posture correcting portion to restrict inclination, and deflectable housing locks to ensure proper alignment and secure mounting, along with backlash restricting portions for stable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the retainer is miniaturized to reduce housing size, then the housing and retainer become smaller, but the pushing surface becomes smaller making the pushing operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing surface is extended in a direction intersecting the inserting direction (laterally extended portion), transforming a one-dimensional pushing surface into a two-dimensional extended surface. This allows the pushing surface area to increase without increasing the retainer's length in the inserting direction, thus maintaining compact size while improving pushability.
2Area of stationary object
If the pushing surface extends forward from the upper surface via a coupling, then the pushing surface area increases, but the retainer inclines so that the extended front is lowered when being pushed into the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The posture correcting portion is provided to preemptively counteract the inclination caused by the extended pushing surface. When the retainer is inserted, the posture correcting portion contacts the housing to prevent the retainer from inclining, thereby correcting the posture before the inclination becomes problematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The posture correcting portion acts as an intermediary element between the extended pushing surface and the housing. It mediates the interaction by providing a contact point with the housing that prevents inclination, allowing the extended pushing surface to function properly without causing stability issues.
3Ease of operation
If the housing locks are made deflectable to enable locking, then the locking function is achieved, but the retainer may rattle in the width direction
Solution Approach 1:
The posture correcting portion serves as an intermediary that contacts the housing to restrict displacement of the retainer in the width direction. This prevents rattling caused by the deflectable housing locks while maintaining the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The posture correcting portion performs multiple functions: it corrects the retainer's posture by preventing inclination, restricts displacement in the width direction to prevent rattling, and guides the retainer during insertion. This multi-functionality addresses stability issues without adding separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer (10) is formed from a body (18) and extended portions (11). The body (18) includes two deflectable legs (20) and the legs (20) include locking claws (21) to be held onto a male connector housing (1) at a partial locking position and locking protrusions (22) to be locked to the male terminal fittings (5). A pushing surface (19) of the retainer (10) is extended in a front-back direction by the extended portions (11). A posture correcting portion (23) is formed between the legs (20) and fits into a cut recess (15) of a partition wall (14) to be locked therein when the retainer (10) is at a full locking position, thereby restricting an oblique posture of the retainer (10).