Connector Retainer With Thin Elastic Arms For Compact Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors with retainer structures are large in size due to significant bending deformation clearances, which compromise locking force and stability, leading to potential detachment during vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a retainer with a guide portion that includes a locking hole and a thinner beam structure, allowing for minimal bending deformation clearance and enhanced stiffness, ensuring secure locking without increasing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic arms with locking claws are used to prevent terminal detachment, then terminal security is improved, but connector size increases due to large bending deformation clearances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film-like elastic arms with integrated locking claws that require minimal bending deformation clearance. The elastic arms are designed as thin, flexible structures that can engage with locking projections without requiring large clearance spaces, thereby reducing overall connector size while maintaining reliable terminal security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the locking structure by reducing the bending deformation clearance to a minimum value. The elastic arms are designed with optimized thickness and length parameters that allow effective locking engagement with minimal space requirement, resolving the contradiction between security and size.
2Ease of operation
If large bending deformation clearance is provided for elastic arms, then insertion ease is improved, but locking force decreases leading to potential detachment under vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The thin film-like elastic arms provide sufficient flexibility for easy insertion while maintaining high locking force. The thin structure allows minimal deformation clearance for smooth insertion, yet the elastic material properties ensure adequate locking force is generated during engagement with the locking projections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs elastic material with optimized mechanical properties that combine high flexibility for easy insertion with high elastic modulus for strong locking force. The material composition and structural design work together to resolve the contradiction between insertion ease and locking force.
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 design achieves a smaller connector size while maintaining robust locking force and preventing terminal detachment, even under vibrational stress.
Implementation Method 1
each of the elastic arms 62 bends and deforms by a reactive force from each of the provisional locking projections 56 to allow insertion of the retainer 60. When the retainer 60 is inserted to a position where the locking claws 62a thereof override the provisional locking projections 56, the elastic arms 62 bends and restores the deformation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector is provided which includes a housing in which a terminal is accommodated, and a retainer which is mounted on the housing to prevent movement of the terminal in the direction of detachment. A retainer insertion hole is provided on the housing to insert the retainer, and a provisional locking projection and a final locking projection are provided which extend into the retainer insertion hole. A guide portion is provided in the retainer which is flexibly deformed by interference from the provisional locking projection and the final locking projection, and a locked portion is formed, which is a locking hole opened in the guide portion. The locked portion and the provisional locking projection are temporarily locked during the insertion process, and the locked portion and the final locking projection are locked at the end of the insertion process.