Connector Retainer Segmentation for Short Circuit Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In connectors with multiple terminals, the temporary locking position of the retainer allows adjacent terminal housing chambers to communicate, leading to potential short circuits when metal foreign substances invade during assembly or operation.
Innovation Solution
The connector incorporates communication cut portions in the retainer that maintain contact with partition portions between terminal housing chambers, even in the temporary locking position, to prevent communication and thus short circuits, using projecting portions and grooves that fit partially or completely to ensure continuous partitioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the retainer is placed in the temporary locking position to allow terminal insertion/removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because adjacent terminal housing chambers communicate and metal foreign substances may cause short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The partition portions are segmented into multiple sections along the movement direction of the retainer. Each segment can independently contact the retainer at different positions (temporary locking position, intermediate position, proper locking position), ensuring continuous isolation between terminal housing chambers throughout the retainer's movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition portions are pre-positioned to extend into the terminal housing chambers at the temporary locking position before terminal insertion occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that even when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, the partition portions maintain isolation between chambers, preventing metal foreign substances from causing short circuits during subsequent terminal insertion or assembly operations.
2Reliability
If the retainer moves between temporary locking position and proper locking position, then the locking function is improved, but the risk of communication between terminal housing chambers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition portions maintain continuous contact with the retainer throughout its entire movement range from the temporary locking position to the proper locking position. This continuous contact ensures that the isolation function between terminal housing chambers is maintained without interruption, even during the transition between locking states, preventing any communication between chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition portions are designed to dynamically adapt their position relative to the retainer's movement. As the retainer moves between locking positions, the partition portions follow along, maintaining their isolating function throughout the dynamic process, rather than being fixed in a single position.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a plurality of terminals, a housing, and a retainer. The housing includes terminal housing chambers and partition portions. Each of the terminal housing chambers accommodates therein each of the plurality of terminals. Each of the partition portions is provided between adjacent terminal housing chambers and partition the adjacent terminal housing chambers from each other. The retainer is attached to the housing. The retainer is configured to prevent each of the terminals from falling out and to move between a temporary locking position and a proper locking position. The retainer includes communication cut portions. While the retainer is moving between the proper locking position and the temporary locking position, each of the communication cut portions is kept in contact with its corresponding partition portion and cut off communication between the adjacent terminal housing chambers.