Monolithic Terminal Positioning Assurance Device for Connector Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector housings for electrical connectors often fail to securely lock terminals in harsh environments or under excessive force, and their designs can be bulky or complicated, leading to issues with terminal removal and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A connector housing with a monolithically integrated terminal positioning assurance device that includes a displaceable transmission member and actuator head, which securely locks the terminal between a forward wall and side wall of the receptacle, allowing for easy insertion and preventing movement, and is formed as a cantilever beam for compactness and ease of manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate safety member is used to press down the displaceable member, then the terminal position is secured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the safety member and displaceable member into a single integrated terminal positioning assurance device. The actuator head forms one piece with the terminal locking element, eliminating the need for separate components to press down and secure the terminal. This integration maintains terminal position security while reducing device complexity and the number of parts.
2Reliability
If multiple displaceable members are arranged in series, then the terminal position is secured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single terminal positioning assurance device that can secure one or more terminals. The actuator head integrates the pressing function and positioning function, eliminating the need for multiple separate displaceable members arranged in series. This reduces structural complexity while maintaining the ability to secure terminal positions reliably.
3Device complexity
If a monolithically integrated terminal positioning assurance device is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator head is formed as a monolithic integrated component with the terminal locking element, reducing device complexity and the number of parts. The integration is achieved through design features that allow the component to be formed as a single piece, which simplifies assembly while maintaining the necessary precision for securing terminal positions.
4Ease of operation
If the actuator head is spaced apart from the housing in unlocked position, then the terminal can be inserted, but the locking reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal positioning assurance device is designed to be displaceable between an unlocked position (spaced apart from the housing) and a locked position (engaged with the housing). In the unlocked position, the actuator head is spaced apart to allow terminal insertion. When the terminal is inserted, the device is displaced to the locked position where the actuator head engages with the housing, ensuring locking reliability. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between ease of insertion and locking reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a secure, cost-effective, and compact terminal locking mechanism that prevents terminal removal and simplifies production, while ensuring reliable operation even under harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
which, in the locked position, is elastically deflected into the terminal receptacle
Implementation Method 2
the actuator head comprises a locking shoulder, which, in the locked position, is positively locked with a corresponding arresting portion of the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a connector housing (1) for an electrical connector (69), the housing comprising at least one terminal receptacle for an electric contact element. The invention further relates to an electrical connector (69). To provide a connector housing (1) which securely locks electric contact elements (63) inside the terminal receptacles (5) and which is fast, easy and cost-effective to manufacture, it is intended according to the invention that the housing (1) further comprises at least one terminal positioning assurance device (19) which is formed mono-lithically with the housing (1) and which is accessible from an outside (21) of the housing (1), the terminal positioning assurance device (19) having an actuator head (23), which, in an unlocked position, is spaced apart from the rest of the housing (1) and, in a locked position, is positively engaged with and protrudes into a lateral opening (25) of the housing, whereby, in the locked position, a terminal locking element (29), which is operatively coupled to the actuator head (23), protrudes into at least one terminal receptacle (5).