Modular Connector Housing With Segmented Sub-housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors require structural changes in the mating connector to accommodate different numbers of poles, which is inefficient and necessitates changes such as omitting tab-like terminals, making it difficult to adapt to varying vehicle types and pole configurations without altering the mating connector's locking structure.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a main housing with a locking structure and multiple sub-housings of varying pole counts, where the main housing and sub-housings are united via coupling side surfaces, with tab insertion grooves allowing for pole count adjustment without altering the mating connector's locking structure or omitting tab-like terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the locking structure is provided on sub-housings to accommodate different numbers of poles, then the connector can be divided into multiple housings for flexibility, but the mating connector requires structural changes such as modifying the locking structure or omitting tab-like terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is divided into a main housing and multiple sub-housings that can be selectively combined. The main housing contains the locking structure, while sub-housings are attached to extend the connector to accommodate different numbers of poles. This segmentation allows the mating connector to remain unchanged while achieving versatility through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The main housing with the locking structure serves as a universal base that can work with multiple types of sub-housings having different numbers of poles. The locking structure is designed to engage with a single lock receiving portion regardless of which sub-housing is attached, making the main housing multi-functional and eliminating the need for different locking structures for different pole configurations.
2Ease of manufacture
If tab-like terminals are omitted to prevent butting against the united part of housings, then the connector can be assembled, but the mating connector requires structural changes which reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into main housing and sub-housings with coupling parts that create tab insertion grooves. This segmentation allows tab-like terminals to be properly received in the grooves formed at the coupling interface, preventing butting issues without omitting any tab-like terminals, thereby maintaining full adaptability for different vehicle configurations.
3Device complexity
If a single housing is used for all pole configurations, then the structure is simplified, but the connector cannot adapt to different numbers of poles without structural changes
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a main housing and multiple sub-housings that can be selectively attached. This segmentation enables the connector to maintain a simple base structure while achieving adaptability through modular extension, allowing different numbers of poles to be accommodated by simply adding or removing sub-housings without changing the main housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector configuration is made dynamic through the selective attachment and detachment of sub-housings. The main housing remains static and simple, while the overall pole capacity becomes adjustable by combining with different numbers and types of sub-housings, providing adaptability without increasing the complexity of the base structure.
Data Source
AI summary
It is aimed to provide a connector capable of dealing with a change in the number of poles without structurally changing a mating connector. Housings (11) for accommodating terminal fittings (12) electrically connectable to tab-like terminals (52) include a main housing (11M) having a locking structure (21) for locking a mating connector (52) and a plurality of types of sub-housings (11S) having different number of poles and selectively unitable with the main housing (11M). The main housing (11M) and the sub-housing (11S) are united by coupling side surfaces to each other. A tab insertion groove (25) into which the tab-like terminal (52) is to be inserted at the time of connection to the mating connector is formed in a coupling part of the united housings (11).