Connector Assembly Side Fastening for Compact Spaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector assemblies require significant space for insertion and fastening, limiting their effective use in compact environments like motor vehicles, where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design where the insertion direction aligns with the fastening direction, allowing the connector to be inserted through a reduced attachment space, with a case having a bolt insertion hole at the upper portion and a column portion that supports the electrical contact portion, enabling fastening via bolts inserted through the column and second holes, and a cover and protector that simplify assembly and reduce component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector is inserted from the side surface and fastened from the upper surface, then the terminal and terminal portion can be securely connected, but the attachment space required is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the insertion direction and fastening direction into the same direction (from the side surface). The connector housing has an insertion portion that is inserted from the side surface, and the fastening member is also inserted from the same side surface through the housing to fasten the terminal. This merging of directions eliminates the need for separate insertion and fastening access, significantly reducing the required attachment space while maintaining secure connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the fastening operation from the upper surface (vertical dimension) to the side surface (horizontal dimension), aligning it with the insertion direction. This dimensional change allows both insertion and fastening to occur from the same access direction, optimizing space utilization in compact environments where vertical access may be limited.
2Ease of operation
If separate insertion and fastening areas are provided, then the connector can be properly assembled, but the limited space in the car is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the insertion area and fastening area into a single access region at the side surface. The housing structure is designed so that both the connector insertion and fastening member insertion occur from the same direction, eliminating the need for separate access areas and maximizing space utilization in the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The side surface opening serves multiple functions: it is used for both inserting the connector housing and inserting the fastening member. This multi-functional access point simplifies the overall assembly process and reduces the total space required for installation operations.
3Reliability
If the fastening member is inserted from the upper surface, then the terminal and terminal portion can be fastened, but the case structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fastening function with the side surface structure. The housing includes a fastening member insertion portion at the side surface that aligns with the connector insertion direction. This integrated design eliminates the need for separate upper surface fastening holes and complex internal routing, simplifying the case structure while ensuring reliable fastening.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a connector assembly allowing attachment of a connector to a connector receptacle with a limited attachment space. The connector assembly includes the connector having a terminal and a connector housing, the connector receptacle having a case and a terminal portion, and a fastening member. The terminal has an electrical contact portion with a hole. The connector housing has a column portion for receiving the electrical contact portion with the hole aligned in an insertion direction of the connector. The terminal portion has a connection portion to be superposed with the electrical contact portion and has a second hole to be communicated with the hole. The case has a housing portion for supporting the connection portion so that the second hole of the connection portion is aligned with the insertion direction of the connector. The electrical contact portion and the connection portion are fastened together with the fastening member passed through the communicated hole and the second hole.