Shield Terminal With Dual Locking Portions For Multiple Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shield connectors with resiliently deflectable locking lances are prone to disengagement due to impacts or vibrations, compromising the reliability of terminal retention.
Innovation Solution
A shield terminal design featuring a tab with a dielectric body and an outer conductor, mountable into housings with specific locking mechanisms, including a resiliently deflectable first locking lance and a side retainer, which restricts deflection to ensure secure retention in both first and second housings, utilizing distinct locking portions and a front stop to prevent lateral tilting and insertion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a resiliently deflectable locking lance is used to retain the shield terminal, then the shield terminal can be easily installed, but the locking lance may disengage due to impact or vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent locking lances (first locking lance and second locking lance) that engage with different locking portions on the outer conductor. This segmentation ensures that if one locking mechanism experiences stress or disengagement, the other continues to provide retention, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing includes a retainer that preliminarily restricts the resilient deflection of the locking lances before engagement. This preliminary action pre-positions the locking lances to ensure proper alignment and engagement with the locking portions, preventing disengagement under impact or vibration while maintaining the ease of installation through self-alignment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shield terminal is designed to fit multiple housing types, then versatility is improved, but the locking mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shield terminal is designed with multiple locking portions on its outer conductor that can engage with different types of locking lances and retainers found in various housing types. This universal design allows the same shield terminal to be compatible with multiple housing configurations without requiring different terminal designs, thereby achieving versatility while managing complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the outer conductor are equipped with specific locking features (first locking portion, second locking portion) that are optimized for engagement with specific housing types. This local differentiation allows the terminal to adapt to multiple housing configurations while keeping the overall design manageable by assigning specific functions to specific locations.
3Reliability
If a front retainer is added to restrict resilient deflection of the locking lance, then retention reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front retainer is integrated into the housing structure as a unified component rather than being a separate attachment. This merging of the retainer with the housing reduces the number of discrete parts and simplifies assembly, while still providing the necessary function of restricting resilient deflection of the locking lances to improve retention 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 design enhances the reliability of shield terminal retention in both types of housings, preventing disengagement and ensuring secure locking without interference, allowing the shield terminal to function as a common member for different housing types.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently deflectable locking lance is formed in the housing and is locked to a locking projection formed on an outer surface of the outer conductor for retaining and holding the shield terminal in the housing
Implementation Method 2
a front retainer capable of restricting resilient deflection of the first locking lance
Implementation Method 3
a side retainer facing inside of the second accommodation chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A shield terminal (30) includes a dielectric (40) configured to accommodate inner conductors (32) and an outer conductor (43) surrounding the dielectric (40), and is mountable into a selected one of first housing (10) and a second housing (20). A first locking portion (55) and second locking portions (57) are formed on an outer surface of the outer conductor (40). The shield terminal (30) inserted into a first accommodation chamber (13) is retained by a front retainer (17) restricting the resilient deflection of a first locking lance (14) and the first locking portion (55) being to the first locking lance (14). The shield terminal (30) inserted into a second accommodation chamber (21) is retained by the locking of the first locking portion (55) and a second locking lance (22) and the locking of the second locking portions (57) and a side retainer (24).