Modular Connector Housing With Primary Lock Deflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector designs require distinct housing geometries and components for different terminal configurations, leading to increased complexity and costs while reducing flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A connector system featuring a common housing with interchangeable assemblies and components, including primary locks and secondary locks, that can accommodate various terminal sizes and configurations, reducing the need for unique parts and simplifying production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distinct housing geometries and components are used for different terminal configurations, then connector reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal common housing design that can accommodate multiple terminal configurations through interchangeable assemblies rather than requiring distinct housing geometries. The standardized housing with consistent assembly receiving passageways allows the same housing to serve multiple functions across different connector variants, reducing parts complexity while maintaining reliable connections for various terminal sizes and arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into modular components: a common housing and interchangeable assemblies. Each assembly contains terminals and associated components that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the common housing to remain simple and standardized while the interchangeable assemblies provide the necessary variations for different terminal configurations, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If distinct housing geometries and components are used for different terminal configurations, then connector reliability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The common housing serves as a universal component across multiple connector variants, eliminating the need to manufacture different housing geometries for each terminal configuration. This universality reduces tooling costs, simplifies production lines, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable connections through the standardized housing design that accommodates various interchangeable assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the common housing functionality across different connector variants into a single standardized design. By combining the housing, assembly receiving passageways, and terminal receiving passageway structures into a universal platform, the manufacturer produces fewer distinct parts, reducing overall manufacturing costs while preserving connector reliability through consistent structural design.
3Ease of manufacture
If distinct housing geometries are used for different terminal configurations, then connector adaptability is reduced, but manufacturing simplicity is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The common housing is designed as a universal platform with standardized assembly receiving passageways and terminal receiving passageways that can accommodate multiple terminal configurations. This universality enhances connector adaptability and flexibility, allowing the same housing to be used across different applications and terminal types, thereby improving versatility without sacrificing manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector system employs interchangeable assemblies that can be dynamically configured within the common housing to match different terminal requirements. This dynamic reconfigurability through assembly interchangeability increases connector flexibility and adaptability while the common housing remains a static, simple-to-manufacture component, achieving both manufacturing simplicity and enhanced versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a common housing and a first assembly received in an assembly receiving passageway of the common housing. The first assembly has a first housing and a first terminal positioned in a first terminal receiving passageway of the first housing. The first housing has a first primary lock formed from a part of an outer surface of the first housing. The first primary lock has a free end that is deflectable with respect to the first housing and engages the first terminal in the terminal receiving passageway. The common housing limits deflection of the first primary lock when the first assembly is disposed in the assembly receiving passageway.