Unitarily Molded Electrical Connector with Integral Latching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical connectors in vehicle engine compartments face challenges due to varying environmental conditions, physical abuse, and space constraints, requiring effective latching mechanisms that minimize component count, assembly time, and inventory while ensuring reliable electrical engagement.

Innovation Solution

A unitarily molded electrical connector with integral latching members, including a housing, seal, and retainer, where the retainer is molded from a different material than the housing and features latching arms, engagement portions, and guards to securely retain mating components without additional discrete components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spring clips are used to maintain connector engagement, then mechanical and electrical engagement is maintained, but the number of discrete components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector engagementVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer is integrated directly into the housing as a single molded piece, eliminating the need for separate spring clips and their associated mounting structures. The housing and retainer form an unified component that maintains engagement through built-in latching features rather than discrete fastening elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple discrete components are used in the connector, then specific functions can be optimized, but assembly time and production cycle time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidproduction cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing, seal, and retainer are combined into a single molded component, eliminating multiple assembly steps. This integration maintains the functional benefits of each element while dramatically reducing production time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple discrete components are used in the connector, then specific functions can be optimized, but inventory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidcomponent inventory

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the retainer into the housing as a single molded piece, the number of separate parts that need to be inventoried and managed is reduced. This eliminates the need to stock separate spring clips, mounting brackets, and associated fastening components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If spring clips are used to retain mating components, then mechanical engagement is maintained, but the risk of inadvertent removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical engagementVSAvoidinadvertent removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated retainer design creates a unified structure where the latching mechanism is built into the housing itself, making the connection more robust and resistant to accidental disengagement compared to separate spring clips that can be inadvertently removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9627808B2One piece connector with integral latching members

Publication Date: 2017.04.18 TE CONNECTIVITY BRASIL IND DE ELECTRONICSOS LTDA

AI summary

An electrical connector having a housing, a seal and a retainer. The housing includes a component receiving opening which extends through a mating end. The housing is molded from a first material. The seal is provided in the component receiving opening and is integrally molded in the component receiving opening of the housing, the seal being molded from a second material which is different than the first material. The retainer is positioned proximate the mating end and is integrally molded to the housing. The retainer cooperates with a mating component to retain the mating component in the component receiving opening.