Joint Connector Asymmetrical Retainer Prevents Terminal Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint connectors with vertical or hinge fastening types face challenges in detecting insufficient fastening, leading to contact failures and CAN communication issues due to terminal displacement.
Innovation Solution
A slide fastening type joint connector with a housing and retainer design, featuring a guide portion, chamfered coupling component, and asymmetrical flange portions to prevent terminal displacement and ensure secure fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a vertical fastening type or hinge fastening type is used, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to detect insufficient fastening and terminal displacement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed to slide dynamically along the guide portion during assembly, transitioning from a loose state to a locked state. The sliding motion allows the retainer to automatically engage with the guide portion, providing visual feedback when properly fastened while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion exposes a portion of the receptacle terminals and guides the retainer, providing visual feedback on fastening status. When the retainer is properly inserted, it aligns with the guide portion, making it visible whether the fastening is sufficient or insufficient, thereby enabling detection without complex mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the retainer is insufficiently fastened, then assembly is easy, but contact failure and CAN communication failure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling component is pre-formed with a chamfer that guides the retainer into proper alignment during insertion. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that as the retainer slides in, it automatically compresses the receptacle terminals against the housing, establishing reliable electrical contact before final fastening is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The first flange portion and second flange portion are formed asymmetrically, with the bending portion located specifically in the first flange portion. This asymmetry prevents incorrect installation and ensures the retainer engages in the correct orientation, guaranteeing proper terminal compression and electrical connection reliability.
3Reliability
If a slide fastening type is used, then terminal position is fixed reliably, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is divided into functional segments: first flange portion for sliding engagement, vertical portion for structural support, second flange portion for additional engagement, and coupling component for terminal compression. The housing is segmented with a guide portion and step portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint connector is provided. The joint connector includes a housing, receptacle terminals configured to be inserted into the housing and a retainer configured to be slidably inserted into the housing and displace the receptacle terminals in an insertion direction to fix the position of the receptacle terminals. Accordingly, defects that include an insertion of the terminals during fastening of the retainer to the housing are detected and the receptacle terminals are compressed by the retainer. The shapes of a top surface and a bottom surface of the retainer are formed in an asymmetrical structure to prevent an inverse insertion of the retainer. Simultaneously, a quality problem due to delamination of the retainer is prevented.