Connector Tube With Partially Closing Wall For Air Hole Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with air holes for pressure relief can be blocked by external matter, impairing ventilation and increasing connection resistance.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a tube with a partially closing wall at its leading end, where the air hole communicates with the tube's inner portion, preventing external matter from entering and blocking the air hole, while maintaining a non-overlapping position with the terminal fittings to avoid increased insertion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tube opening is made large to accommodate terminal fittings, then the terminal fittings can be easily inserted, but external matter can intrude into the tube and block the air hole
Solution Approach 1:
The tube opening is segmented into two functional zones: an upper portion that remains open to accommodate terminal fittings, and a lower portion that is closed by the protruding wall to prevent external matter intrusion. This segmentation allows the same opening to serve dual purposes of ease of operation and reliability protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding wall acts as an intermediary element between the tube opening and the air hole. It selectively blocks the lower portion of the opening to prevent external matter from reaching the air hole, while leaving the upper portion open for terminal fitting insertion. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by mediating between accessibility and protection needs.
2Reliability
If a wall is added to close the tube opening to prevent external matter intrusion, then the air hole is protected from blocking, but the insertion resistance of terminal fittings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing wall is designed with local quality differentiation: it protrudes only partially into the tube opening, closing the lower portion while leaving the upper portion open. This localized closing provides protection where needed (lower area) while maintaining accessibility where required (upper area), thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely closing the tube opening (excessive action), the wall protrudes only partially to close just enough of the opening to prevent external matter intrusion while leaving sufficient space for terminal fitting insertion. This partial action achieves the protective function without over-closing the opening, maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the wall is positioned to face the air hole, then external matter is less likely to block the air hole, but the wall may overlap with terminal fittings in the insertion path
Solution Approach 1:
The wall is positioned in the radial dimension of the tube opening rather than in the axial insertion path of terminal fittings. By extending the wall radially inward from the tube outer circumference, it protects the air hole from external matter without interfering with the axial insertion motion of terminal fittings, thus resolving the positioning conflict.
Data Source
AI summary
An air hole (29) is formed to penetrate through a back wall (23) of a receptacle (22). Leading end portions (61) of male terminal fittings (60) are inserted into an inner portion (28) of a tube (27) and the air hole (29) communicates with the inner portion (28). If a female connector is connected in a posture inclined from a proper connecting posture, the tube (27) interferes with the female connector to prevent any further connecting operation. The tube (27) surrounds a plurality of male terminal fittings (60) together. A wall (31) for partially closing openings of the inner portion (28) is formed at a leading end portion of the tube (27).