Connector Retainer Split Structure for Easier Terminal Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with retainers that hold terminals face difficulty in easily releasing the holding state, making disassembly cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The connector design incorporates a housing body with cavity exposing recesses and locking portions, and a retainer with dividing recesses, along with a disassembly tool featuring parallel dividing blades to facilitate easy separation of the retainer from the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retainer is used to hold terminals in a connector, then the terminal holding state is secure and reliable, but the disassembly process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer side portions are segmented by forming dividing recesses that allow insertion of a dividing blade. This segmentation enables the retainer to be divided into multiple parts, facilitating easy removal from the housing body while maintaining the integrity of the terminal holding function during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
A dividing blade is introduced as an intermediary tool to separate the retainer side portions. The blade inserts into the dividing recesses and divides the retainer structure, enabling easy disassembly without directly forcing the retainer off the locking portions.
2Reliability
If locking portions are formed on both side parts of the housing body, then the retainer is securely locked to the housing, but the retainer cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure is made separable by forming dividing recesses in the retainer side portions. These recesses allow the retainer to be divided at specific locations, enabling removal from the locking portions without compromising the security of the locked state during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Dividing recesses are pre-formed in the retainer side portions during manufacturing. These recesses prepare the structure for future disassembly by providing predetermined paths for the dividing blade, making removal easier when needed while maintaining secure locking during use.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a terminal and a connector housing including a housing body having a cavity and a retainer to be removably mounted into the housing body, the terminal being accommodated into the cavity. The housing body includes a cavity exposing recess for exposing an intermediate part in an extension direction of the cavity to outside and a pair of locking portions formed on both side parts of the housing body. The retainer includes a retainer body for holding the terminal in the cavity, a pair of retainer side portions extending from both side parts of the retainer body toward the pair of locking portions and a pair of mating locking portions respectively formed on the pair of retainer side portions and lockable to the locking portions. A dividing recess recessed in the extension direction of the cavity is formed in each of the pair of retainer side portions.