Electrical Connector Short-Circuiting Terminal Width Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors are oversized due to the placement of the release portion on both sides of the lock arm, which increases the width of the second housing and the short-circuiting terminal, making them less compact.
Innovation Solution
The release portion is positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the second housing forward of the lock arm, allowing the second housing and short-circuiting terminal to be downsized in the width direction, and the short-circuiting terminal housing chamber is arranged to face the lock arm, reducing the height of the first housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the release portion is arranged on both sides of the lock arm, then the connector provides reliable release functionality, but the second housing and short-circuiting terminal become enlarged in the width direction
Solution Approach 1:
The release portion is repositioned from a symmetric arrangement on both sides of the lock arm to an asymmetric arrangement on only one side (the side opposite to the short-circuiting terminal). This dimensional reconfiguration in the width direction eliminates the need for bilateral symmetry, reducing the overall width of the second housing while maintaining the lock arm's locking functionality on the other side.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a symmetric configuration (release portions on both sides) to an asymmetric configuration (release portion on one side only). The lock arm is designed to function effectively with a single-sided release mechanism, and the short-circuiting terminal is positioned to avoid interference, thereby reducing width requirements while preserving reliability.
2Reliability
If the short-circuiting terminal is designed to avoid interference with the lock arm, then the release functionality is maintained, but the short-circuiting terminal increases in width
Solution Approach 1:
The release portion is extracted and positioned exclusively on one side of the lock arm, separating the release functionality from the short-circuiting terminal area. This allows the short-circuiting terminal to be compact in width without needing to accommodate bilateral release mechanisms, while the lock arm's locking and releasing functions remain intact through the single-sided release portion.
3Area of stationary object
If the connector is downsized in the width direction, then the overall compactness is improved, but the release portion and short-circuiting terminal must be reconfigured
Solution Approach 1:
By repositioning the release portion to one side and adjusting the short-circuiting terminal position in the width direction, the overall connector width is reduced. The short-circuiting terminal housing chamber is arranged to face the lock arm in the fitting direction, optimizing spatial utilization and reducing width requirements without significantly increasing configurational complexity.
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
This configuration enables a more compact connector design by reducing the width of the second housing and the short-circuiting terminal, allowing for a smaller overall size without compromising the functionality of the connector.
Implementation Method 1
a lock arm on an outer peripheral surface of the second housing, the lock arm being deflectable and holding a state in which the first housing and the second housing are fit together
Implementation Method 2
a release portion provided on the second housing, the release portion displacing the contact pieces to release contact between the first terminals and the contact pieces
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a first housing housing a plurality of first terminals, a second housing being fittable to the first housing and housing a plurality of second terminals connectable to the respective first terminals, a short-circuiting terminal housed in the first housing and having contact pieces contacting the respective first terminals which are adjacent to each other, and a release portion provided on the second housing and displacing the contact pieces to release contact between the first terminals and the contact pieces. The second housing is deflectably provided with a lock arm on an outer peripheral surface of the second housing, the lock arm holding a state in which the first housing and the second housing are fit together. The release portion is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the second housing forward of the lock arm in a fitting direction of the first housing and the second housing.