Shielded Connector Retainer for Terminal Insertion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face challenges in detecting the proper insertion of a shield terminal due to reduced shielding performance when providing a recess in the outer conductor, which is necessary for conventional retainer mechanisms, especially when multiple terminals with small sizes are used.
Innovation Solution
A connector design incorporating a movable retainer and detecting member that allows for the detection of the shield terminal's proper position within the housing by preventing the retainer from moving to a complete locking position unless the detecting member is in the correct detection position, ensuring the shield terminal is accurately seated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a hole is provided in the outer conductor to provide a recess for the retainer, then the retainer can detect the insertion position of the shield terminal, but the shielding performance of the connector is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented from the outer conductor structure. Instead of forming the recess directly in the outer conductor (which would require a hole and reduce shielding), the recess is formed in a separate retainer component that is mounted on the housing. This allows the detection function to be isolated from the shielding structure, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and shielding performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer acts as an intermediary component between the housing and the detection mechanism. It provides the recess for detecting the shield terminal's insertion position without requiring modifications to the outer conductor itself. This intermediary structure enables detection while preserving the integrity and shielding performance of the outer conductor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a slide-type retainer is used to retain multiple small terminals, then the retainer can move in the arrangement direction of terminals, but it cannot detect the insertion position of the shield terminal without a hole in the outer conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed with multi-functionality: it simultaneously performs the function of retaining multiple small terminals (through its sliding mechanism) and detecting the insertion position of the shield terminal (through the recess formed in its body). This eliminates the need for separate detection mechanisms and resolves the contradiction between versatility and detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal retention function and the detection function are merged into a single retainer component. The retainer's body structure integrates both the sliding mechanism for terminal retention and the recess for detection, allowing one component to fulfill multiple functions without requiring additional holes in the outer conductor.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is provided with a shield terminal to be connected to a cable configured such that an outer periphery of a wire is surrounded by a shield body, a plurality of terminals, a housing for accommodating the shield terminal and the plurality of terminals, a retainer held on the housing movably between a temporary locking position and a complete locking position in an arrangement direction of the plurality of terminals and configured to retain the plurality of terminals at the complete locking position, and a detecting member held on the housing movably between an initial position and a detection position in an inserting/withdrawing direction of the shield terminal and configured to move to the detection position by the shield terminal being accommodated to a proper position inside the housing.