Multi-Level Joint Connector Alignment and Strength
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint connectors with sub-housings in multiple levels face issues of reduced strength due to thinning of inner walls for contact and engaging portions on side surfaces, and erroneous buildup without ensuring proper alignment, leading to potential misconnection of terminal fittings with wiring harnesses.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of projecting pieces with identifying projections and recesses on the sub-housings that align during proper buildup, preventing erroneous assembly by ensuring correct alignment and maintaining the structural integrity of the connector's inner walls, along with retainer insertion openings and ribs to secure terminal fittings and prevent displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If contact portions and engaging portions are provided on side surfaces of sub-housings, then sub-housings can be assembled in alignment, but inner walls of cavities are thinned and connector strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric identifying projections and recesses on the mating surfaces of sub-housings. These asymmetric features enable precise alignment during assembly while being positioned on the outer surfaces rather than requiring thinning of the inner cavity walls, thus maintaining structural strength.
2Manufacturing precision
If identifying projections and recesses are added to prevent erroneous buildup, then assembly accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the alignment function and identification function into a single integrated feature set. The identifying projections and recesses are incorporated into the existing mating surface structure, serving both to guide alignment and to prevent erroneous assembly of incompatible sub-housings, rather than adding separate independent features.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint connector (10) has sub-housings (S) (S1 to S6) that can be built up in plural levels. Projecting pieces (31) project on outer sides of the respective sub-housings (S) in directions intersecting a build-up direction (BUD) of the sub-housings (S) and define hand-push portions (13) by building up the sub-housings (S). The sub-housings (S) built up in levels are fit into the intermediate connector (20) by pushing the hand-push portions (13) towards the intermediate connector (20) so that terminal fittings (40) in the joint connector (10) are connected electrically with intermediate terminals (24) in the intermediate connector (20). Identifying projections (A) on the lower mating surfaces of the projecting pieces (31) enter identifying recesses (B) in the upper mating surfaces of adjacent projecting pieces (31) if the sub-housings (S) are built up properly.