Connector Retainer Opening Recess Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connectors with retainer insertion openings in the hood portion often experience inward inclination, causing the tip end of the fitting tube to bump into the opening inner-edge surface, obstructing the fitting operation with the mating connector.
Innovation Solution
The retainer insertion opening is designed with an inner-edge surface that is recessed in the opposite direction to the fitting direction, forming an R-shaped or inclined surface where the center is the lowest point, preventing the tip end of the fitting tube from bumping into the opening edges, and a fitting assist lever is used to apply force for easier connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the retainer insertion opening is formed in the hood portion with an inwardly inclined opening inner-edge surface, then the connector structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the tip end of the fitting tube bumps into the opening inner-edge surface during fitting, obstructing the fitting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The opening inner-edge surface is inverted by forming a recess at the center portion that protrudes in the fitting direction, opposite to the conventional inwardly inclined design. This inversion prevents the tip end of the fitting tube from bumping into the opening edge during fitting operation, while still maintaining the simplified hood portion structure without requiring additional guiding components.
2Productivity
If excessive force is applied to the connector housing during fitting, then the fitting operation can be completed, but the tip end of the fitting tube bumps into the opening inner-edge surface, potentially causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The recess at the center portion of the opening inner-edge surface acts as a beforehand cushioning feature that prevents direct impact between the tip end of the fitting tube and the opening edge. Even when excessive force is applied during fitting, the recess absorbs the impact, preventing damage to the connector housing or fitting tube, thereby ensuring reliability while maintaining productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the opening inner-edge surface is made flat and perpendicular to the fitting direction, then the fitting operation is smooth, but the connector housing requires higher manufacturing precision to prevent inward inclination
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the entire opening inner-edge surface to be perfectly flat and perpendicular, the invention applies a localized recess only at the center portion where the fitting tube tip end contacts. This local modification maintains ease of operation by preventing bumping, while the rest of the opening can be formed with standard manufacturing tolerances, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector having a connector housing, the connector includes a columnar terminal accommodating portion that is provided with a terminal accommodating chamber accommodating terminals therein and a hood portion that surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the terminal accommodating portion to have a gap between the hood portion and the outer circumferential surface so that a fitting tube of a mating connector is fitted into the gap, and is formed with a retainer insertion opening serving as an insertion port of a retainer locking the terminals in the terminal accommodating chamber. In the connector, the retainer insertion opening has an opening inner-edge surface facings in a fitting direction toward the mating connector, and the opening inner-edge surface is recessed in a direction opposite to the fitting direction and a center part of the opening inner-edge surface is most recessed.