Connector Retainer Structure for Secure Rubber Ring Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The retainer in existing connectors can detach from the housing due to disengagement of the holding protrusion from the holding groove during insertion or removal, leading to potential waterproofing failures.
Innovation Solution
A fitting device with a retainer that includes a tubular main body and elastically deformable arm portions, featuring first and second projections, where the second projection engages with a recess on the housing, ensuring secure attachment even under load, and a restricting projection to prevent rubber ring detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a holding protrusion and holding groove portion are used to attach the retainer to the housing, then the retainer can be mounted to the housing, but the holding protrusion may be disengaged from the holding groove portion when a load is applied during insertion or removal, causing the retainer to detach
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer arm is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically adjust during insertion and removal operations. When a load is applied, the arm can deform to absorb the force while maintaining engagement through the projection-recess mechanism, preventing disengagement that would occur with rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection of the retainer arm nests into the recess of the housing, creating a interlocking mechanism. This nested structure ensures that the retainer remains securely attached to the housing even when loads are applied during insertion or removal operations, as the nested geometry prevents disengagement.
2Strength
If the retainer arm is made rigid to maintain structural strength, then the retainer can withstand loads, but the retainer becomes difficult to assemble and may require excessive force during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer arm transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic elastically deformable component. This allows the arm to be easily assembled by deforming it to fit into place, then maintaining structural strength through its elastic properties that allow it to withstand operational loads while returning to its original shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The material or structural parameters of the retainer arm are designed to provide elastic deformability within a specific range. This allows the arm to be flexible enough for easy assembly but strong enough to maintain structural integrity under operational loads, optimizing both assembly ease and strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents retainer detachment, maintains waterproofing integrity, and facilitates easy assembly and disassembly by allowing elastic deformation of the arm portions.
Implementation Method 1
an arm portion extending from the main body portion and configured to be elastically deformable
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting device includes a connection terminal, a tubular housing that covers an outer circumference of the connection terminal, a rubber ring attached to an outer circumferential surface of the housing, and a retainer that prevents the rubber ring from being dislodged. The retainer includes a tubular main body portion, and a plurality of arm portions extending from the main body portion in a front-rear direction. Each arm portion includes an extension portion extending from the main body portion toward the rubber ring in the front-rear direction, a first projection protruding from the extension portion toward an inner circumferential surface, and a second projection protruding from the extension portion toward the outer circumferential surface of the housing. An amount of insertion of the second projection into the recess is larger than a gap between a protruding end of the first projection and the inner circumferential surface.