Joint Connector Shorting Member Retainer Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint connectors for shorting wires in automotive vehicles face challenges in providing a sufficient holding force without risking fracture of the insulating housing or shorting member, especially with thinner wires and smaller terminals, due to high press-fitting resistance.
Innovation Solution
A joint connector design featuring a conductive shorting member with a base and projecting terminals, held by an insulating housing with a detachable retainer that constrains the shorting member in a direction intersecting the shorting and fitting directions, allowing for secure attachment without intense press-fitting, thus preventing fractures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the press-fitting resistance is increased to provide sufficient holding force, then the holding force is improved, but the risk of cracking the housing or fracturing the tab-like terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a retention rib that extends in the width direction (lateral dimension) of the housing, perpendicular to the insertion direction. This dimensional change allows the retention rib to engage with a groove on the side surface of the terminal, providing holding force through lateral engagement rather than relying solely on high press-fitting resistance in the insertion direction. This reduces the risk of fracturing while maintaining sufficient holding force.
2Force
If the press-fitting resistance is increased to hold the joint terminal, then the holding force is improved, but the possibility of fracturing the tab-like terminals due to buckling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention rib extends laterally in the width direction and engages with a groove on the side surface of the terminal. This lateral engagement provides mechanical support to the terminal, preventing buckling during press-fitting operations. The groove-rib engagement structure distributes the mechanical load, reducing stress concentration and preventing terminal fracture while maintaining adequate holding force.
3Force
If the press-fitting resistance is set large to resist fitting force, then the holding force is improved, but the possibility of cracking resin of the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention rib extends in the width direction (lateral dimension) of the housing, creating a lateral engagement mechanism with the terminal groove. This lateral engagement provides holding force without requiring excessive press-fitting resistance in the insertion direction. The retention rib acts as a mechanical stop that prevents terminal removal while minimizing stress on the housing resin, thereby preventing cracking.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint connector includes shorting members (30), a housing body (HB) having a shorting member accommodating portion (50) for holding the shorting members (30), and a shorting member retainer (70). The shorting member (30) includes a base (32) extending in a shorting direction and shorting-side terminals (34, 36) projecting from this base (32) in a fitting direction. The shorting member retainer (70) is mounted into the housing body (HB) in a mounting/detaching direction intersecting both the shorting direction and the fitting direction. The shorting member retainer (70) includes shorting member constraining portions (74) configured to cross the shorting members (30) in the mounting/detaching direction to restrict movements of the shorting members (30) in the fitting direction.