Connector Sub-Housing Orthogonal Assembly for Short Circuit Terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for vehicle wiring systems require larger opening dimensions for short circuit terminals, which can restrict their assembly and increase the connector's size, making it difficult to use existing short circuit terminals effectively.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a sub-housing that is assembled orthogonally to the main housing, allowing the short circuit terminal to be mounted at a position where it contacts the terminals, reducing the opening dimension of the connector housing and enabling the use of existing short circuit terminals even with restricted dimensions, while also incorporating a sealing member and locking mechanism for secure assembly and moisture protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the short circuit terminal is assembled from the front end opening of the connector housing, then the short circuit terminal can be installed, but the opening dimension of the connector housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sub-housing that is fitted to the connector housing in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction between male and female connectors. The short circuit terminal is then assembled from the side opening of the sub-housing, changing the assembly dimension from the front end opening direction to the side opening direction. This dimensional change allows the short circuit terminal to be installed without increasing the front end opening dimension of the connector housing.
2Length of stationary object
If the opening dimension of the connector housing is restricted, then the connector size is reduced, but existing short circuit terminals cannot be assembled
Solution Approach 1:
By providing a sub-housing with a side opening and fitting it orthogonally to the connector housing, the patent enables assembly of the short circuit terminal from the side direction rather than the front end direction. This allows the front end opening dimension to be restricted while still accommodating the short circuit terminal through the side opening of the sub-housing.
3Manufacturing precision
If the sub-housing is fitted to the connector housing, then the short circuit terminal can be mounted at the correct position, but the connector structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-housing integrates multiple functions: it holds the short circuit terminal, provides a side opening for terminal assembly, and fits orthogonally to the connector housing to establish proper positioning. By combining these functions into a single sub-housing component, the patent achieves precise positioning of the short circuit terminal without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a connector housing that includes a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers, a terminal that is accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber, a retainer portion that holds the accommodated terminal in the terminal accommodation chamber, a short circuit terminal that makes at least two of the accommodated terminals be in a short-circuited state by coming into contact with the two accommodated terminals, and a sub-housing on which the short circuit terminal is mounted. The connector housing includes a fitting portion to which the sub-housing is fitted in a direction orthogonal to a fitting direction of the connector housing to a counterpart connector housing, and the retainer portion is formed at a position of holding the terminal and the short circuit terminal is mounted at a position at which the short circuit terminal comes into contact with the terminals.