Elliptical Terminal Connector Structure for Rattle Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors allow for rattling of terminal fittings due to tolerance in assembly of separate connector housing and retainer components, making it difficult to suppress vertical rattling despite the presence of a pressing contact portion.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with a housing and retainer that includes deflectable locking lances and supporting walls to secure elliptical terminals, featuring deflection suppressing portions and supporting walls to stabilize the terminals from both sides, reducing rattling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the connector housing and retainer are designed as separate components to enable assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but rattling of the terminal fitting occurs due to assembly tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pressing contact portion directly into the retainer component, which is then assembled as a unit with the connector housing. This merging of functions within the retainer structure allows the pressing force to be applied precisely at the intended location despite assembly tolerances between separate components, thereby suppressing terminal fitting rattling while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer acts as an intermediary component that bridges the connector housing and the terminal fitting. By incorporating the pressing contact portion into the retainer, the design mediates the tolerance issues between the housing and terminal fitting, ensuring stable terminal retention through the pressing action transmitted via the retainer.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pressing contact portion is provided on the retainer to suppress vertical rattling, then the terminal fitting stability is improved, but assembly tolerance still allows rattling to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing contact portion is strategically positioned at the specific location where terminal fitting stability is most needed. By concentrating the pressing function at this critical local point on the retainer, the design effectively compensates for general assembly tolerances, ensuring that the terminal fitting is firmly held despite variations in component fit-up.
3Ease of operation
If locking lances are made deflectable to accommodate assembly variations, then the ease of assembly is improved, but terminal fitting retention stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the deflectable locking lances with the pressing contact portion on the retainer. The locking lances provide initial retention through deflection, and the pressing contact portion reinforces this by applying additional pressing force. This merging of retention mechanisms ensures reliable terminal fitting retention while maintaining ease of assembly through the deflectable lance design.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflectable locking lances are designed to accommodate assembly variations beforehand by flexing during assembly, then the pressing contact portion applies additional force to cushion and secure the terminal fitting in its final position. This two-stage approach ensures both ease of assembly and reliable retention.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector of the present disclosure includes a plurality of types of terminals disposed side by side in a first direction, a housing including a plurality of cavities for respectively accommodating the plurality of types of terminals, the terminals being inserted into the cavities from behind in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a retainer to be mounted on the housing from front in the second direction. An inner wall of the cavity is formed with a pair of locking lances disposed side by side in the first direction. The plurality of types of terminals include at least one elliptical terminal having an elliptical shape in a front view. The elliptical terminal includes a tube portion open forward and long in the first direction and a pair of locked portions for holding the elliptical terminal by being respectively locked by the pair of locking lances.