Connector Side Retainer Locking Mechanism Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector design faces challenges in miniaturization due to overlapping components, particularly in the height direction, as the female terminal and branch plate overlap vertically within the terminal receiving chamber.
Innovation Solution
The connector incorporates a side retainer with opposed plate portions that can move between temporary and formal locking positions, allowing for the removal of housing plates and enabling the side retainer to cover the terminal receiving chamber, thereby reducing the connector's height and allowing for miniaturization. This design includes temporary and formal locking portions, with the side retainer's plate portions being supported to regulate movement and facilitate insertion without the need for long cantilever-like temporary locking structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the female terminal and branch plate overlap vertically in the terminal receiving chamber, then the connector can accommodate multiple components, but the height of the connector increases making miniaturization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking (height direction) to lateral arrangement (width direction) by having the side retainer extend in the width direction with opposed plate portions that sandwich the housing. This dimensional change allows multiple components to be accommodated without increasing connector height, enabling miniaturization in the height direction while maintaining component accommodation capability.
2Length of stationary object
If housing plates are removed to allow side retainer to cover terminal receiving chamber, then connector height is reduced for miniaturization, but structural strength and support may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The side retainer merges the functions of multiple housing plates into a single integrated component. The opposed plate portions of the side retainer collectively provide the structural support and coverage that would otherwise require separate housing plates, maintaining structural strength while reducing overall connector height through consolidation of structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The side retainer is designed to be movable between a temporary locking position and a formal locking position. In the temporary position, the opposed plate portions provide structural support; in the formal locking position, the side retainer is securely locked to the housing, dynamically adapting its support role while enabling miniaturization through selective plate removal.
3Reliability
If long cantilever-like temporary locking structures are used, then temporary locking function is achieved, but the connector size increases and miniaturization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temporary locking function from a separate long cantilever structure and integrates it into the opposed plate portions of the side retainer. The plate portions themselves, when positioned in the temporary locking position, provide the locking function without requiring additional extended structures, thereby achieving reliable temporary locking while minimizing connector size for miniaturization.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a housing having a terminal receiving chamber having an opening on one or both of opposite sides in a preset direction crossing an insertion direction of a connection terminal; and a side retainer having a pair of opposed plate portions disposed in positions to sandwich the housing from the opposite sides in the preset direction. The side retainer is attached laterally to the housing and movably supported on the housing to move between a temporary locking position to temporarily lock the connection terminal and a formal locking position to formally lock the connection terminal. One or both of the opposed plate portions of the side retainer covers one or both of the opposite sides of the terminal receiving chamber when the side retainer locates at the formal locking position.