Connector Retainer Unlocking Structure for Easier Terminal Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with retainers that hold terminals face challenges in easily releasing the holding state, making disassembly cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing body with retainer guide grooves and locking portions, along with a disassembly tool having unlocking portions, allows for easy release of the retainer from the housing body by utilizing recessed grooves and unlocking portions that fit between the retainer and housing body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retainer is used to hold terminals in a connector, then the terminal holding reliability is improved, but the ease of releasing the terminal from the retainer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is divided into a retainer body and separate retainer side portions that can be independently displaced. The retainer side portions are engaged with locking portions on the housing body through locking and unlocking operations, allowing the terminal holding state to be released by disengaging these segmented components without affecting the overall retainer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A disassembly tool is introduced as an intermediary device to facilitate the unlocking operation. The disassembly tool includes unlocking portions that fit into recessed grooves on the housing body and interact with the retainer side portions, enabling the user to release the terminal holding state through a simple pulling motion without directly manipulating the retainer locking mechanism.
2Stability of the object's composition
If locking portions are formed on the housing body to secure the retainer, then the terminal holding stability is improved, but the complexity of the disassembly process increases
Solution Approach 1:
Recessed grooves are pre-formed on the housing body at positions that facilitate the unlocking operation. These grooves are prepared in advance to guide the disassembly tool's unlocking portions and define the pulling direction, eliminating the need for complex disassembly procedures while maintaining the stability provided by the locking portions during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The disassembly tool serves as an intermediary that simplifies the interaction between the user and the locking mechanism. By providing unlocking portions that fit into the pre-formed recessed grooves, the tool translates a simple pulling action into the precise mechanical motion needed to disengage the retainer side portions from the locking portions, reducing disassembly complexity without compromising holding stability.
3Ease of operation
If retainer guide grooves are formed on both side parts of the housing body, then the ease of retainer installation and removal is improved, but the manufacturing complexity of the housing body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide grooves are formed only on the side parts of the housing body rather than throughout the entire structure, segmenting the complex housing manufacturing into simpler regions. This localized approach to groove formation reduces manufacturing complexity while still providing the necessary guidance for retainer installation and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer guide grooves are positioned specifically on the side parts of the housing body where they are most needed for guiding the retainer side portions during installation and removal. This local placement optimizes the ease of operation for retainer handling while minimizing the impact on housing body manufacturing complexity by avoiding unnecessary grooves in other regions.
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 housing body includes a cavity exposing recess, a pair of retainer guide grooves and a pair of locking portion respectively formed on bottom surfaces of the pair of retainer guide grooves. The retainer includes a retainer body for holding the terminal in the cavity, a pair of retainer side portions extending along the pair of retainer guide grooves and a pair of mating locking portions respectively formed on the pair of retainer side portions. A pair of recessed grooves are formed to extend from positions of the housing body where the pair of locking portions are respectively formed toward at least one end of the housing body.