Low-Height Connector Housing With Integrated Terminal Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors are enlarged in the direction intersecting the inserting direction of the terminal fitting due to the need for a deflection space and accommodation space for the flexible locking piece, which increases the overall height.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with a terminal fitting fixed to a wire and a housing comprising an inner and outer housing, where the inner housing forms a terminal accommodation chamber allowing insertion from a direction perpendicular to the fitting and wire arrangement, with a retaining portion restricting displacement, and the outer housing covers the accommodation chamber opening, eliminating the need for resilient deformation of the retaining portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible locking piece is used to retain the terminal fitting, then the terminal fitting can be securely locked, but the connector height increases due to the need for both accommodation space and deflection space
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is divided into an inner housing containing the terminal accommodation chamber and an outer housing that covers the opening. This segmentation allows the retaining portion to be integrated into the inner housing structure, eliminating the need for a separate flexible locking piece and reducing overall connector height while maintaining locking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining portion is integrated directly into the inner housing structure, merging the retention function with the housing itself. This eliminates the need for a separate flexible locking piece and its associated deflection space, thereby reducing connector height while maintaining the locking function
2Reliability
If a flexible locking piece is used to lock the terminal fitting, then secure retention is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining portion is integrated into the inner housing structure, merging the retention function with the housing itself. This eliminates the need for a separate flexible locking piece, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable retention through the retaining portion that restricts displacement toward the wire
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible locking piece is extracted/removed from the design entirely. Its locking function is replaced by the retaining portion integrated into the housing structure, simplifying the overall device while maintaining the essential retention capability
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is provided with a terminal fitting (10) fixed to a wire (14) and a connector housing (20) configured by assembling an outer housing (36) with an inner housing (25). The inner housing (25) is formed with a terminal accommodation chamber (21) capable of accommodating the terminal fitting (10) from a direction intersecting an arrangement direction of the terminal fitting (10) and the wire (14). The terminal accommodation chamber (21) is formed with a retaining portion (30) for restricting a displacement of the terminal fitting (10) in the terminal accommodation chamber (21) toward the wire (14). The outer housing (36) covers an opening (28) of the terminal accommodation chamber (21) in an outer surface of the inner housing (25).