Rotating Retainer Connector for Compact Terminal Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors are too large in size and require further reduction.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with a cavity and a retainer that can be attached at a temporarily and completely attached position, with a locking protrusion that retracts from the cavity at the temporarily attached position and projects into the cavity upon rotation, allowing for a reduced size configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector uses a conventional retainer positioning mechanism, then the terminal can be securely held, but the connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed to rotate between a temporary attachment position and a complete attachment position, transitioning from a state where the locking protrusion is retracted to a state where it locks the terminal. This dynamic positioning allows the same component to serve multiple functions at different stages, reducing overall connector size while maintaining secure terminal holding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking protrusion moves along the extension direction of the cavity (rotational movement) rather than requiring additional lateral space. By utilizing rotational motion within the existing cavity space, the design achieves secure terminal locking without increasing connector dimensions in other directions.
2Reliability
If the locking protrusion is always projected into the cavity, then the terminal is securely locked, but the terminal insertion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer rotates between two positions: at the temporary attachment position, the locking protrusion is retracted to allow easy terminal insertion; at the complete attachment position, the locking protrusion projects into the cavity to securely lock the terminal. This dynamic transition resolves the contradiction between insertion ease and locking security.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is first attached to the housing at the temporary position where the locking protrusion is retracted, allowing terminal insertion to occur first. After insertion, the retainer rotates to the complete attachment position to engage the locking protrusion with the terminal, ensuring secure locking without interfering with the insertion process.
Data Source
AI summary
It is aimed to further reduce the size of a connector. A connector for holding a terminal includes a housing formed with a cavity capable of accommodating the terminal and a retainer attachable to the housing at a temporarily attached position and a completely attached position. The retainer includes a locking protrusion lockable to the terminal accommodated in the cavity. The locking protrusion is retracted from the cavity with the retainer located at the temporarily attached position, and projects into the cavity and locks the terminal in the cavity by rotating the retainer from the temporarily attached position to the completely attached position.