Connector Fixing Structure With Tilt-Suppressing Contact Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector fixing structures in electrical connection boxes, such as those in automobiles, fail to adequately suppress tilting caused by vibrations, leading to potential damage to the lock and locked portions due to external forces.
Innovation Solution
A connector fixing structure that includes a connector with a main body portion and a lock portion, and a holder with a first contact portion protruding in a predetermined direction to oppose the second portion of the connector, which comes into contact with the tilting connector to prevent excessive force and tilting, with the lock portion serving as a fulcrum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a connector is fixed to a holder using a lock portion and locked portion, then the connector can be securely attached, but the connector tilts under vibration causing damage to the lock and locked portions
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body is divided into two portions: a first portion that receives the lock portion and a second portion that extends forward. This segmentation allows the second portion to be equipped with a contact portion that prevents tilting, while the first portion maintains the locking function. The holder is similarly segmented with a locked portion and a contact portion positioned at different locations to provide both attachment and tilting prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
A contact portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the connector body and the holder. This contact portion acts as a mediator that prevents direct transmission of tilting forces to the lock and locked portions. The contact portion absorbs and redirects the tilting forces, protecting the locking mechanism from damage while maintaining secure attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lock portion is positioned farther from the support face, then the connector can accommodate certain designs, but the connector tilts more easily under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from a single-point support system to a multi-point contact system by adding contact portions in a different spatial dimension. Instead of relying solely on the support face in the fitting direction, contact portions are added in a direction intersecting the fitting direction, creating a three-dimensional support structure that prevents tilting while accommodating design flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector fixing structure includes: a connector having a main body portion and a lock portion provided on an outer face of the main body portion; and a holder having, on its surface, a locked portion that fits with the lock portion. The main body portion includes a first portion provided with the lock portion, and a second portion provided extending frontward in a fitting direction from the first portion. The holder is provided protruding from the surface in a predetermined direction intersecting the fitting direction and has a first contact portion opposing the second portion in the predetermined direction. The first contact portion comes into contact with the second portion when the second portion tilts from a reference orientation with a component in a direction approaching the surface, with the lock portion serving as a fulcrum.