Shielding Connector Locking Mechanism and Wire Caulking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shielding connectors require excessive force to separate the connected terminals and housings, which can lead to displacement of the elastic locking piece, causing the shielding shell to separate from the female housing, resulting in an undesirably large connector size.
Innovation Solution
A flexible locking piece on the housing locks the open edge of the shielding shell, and a retainer prevents the elastic locking piece from displacing during unlocking, while a tightening band is used to caulk the braided wire, eliminating the need for a core and allowing external tool operation for assembly, thereby increasing the locking force without increasing the connector size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large locking area is used for the elastic locking piece to prevent separation of the shielding shell, then the shielding shell is securely locked, but the housing and connector become undesirably large
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is divided between two components: the elastic locking piece provides primary locking, while the retainer provides secondary support by limiting displacement. This segmentation allows each component to be smaller while maintaining overall locking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer acts as an intermediary element between the elastic locking piece and the housing. It limits the displacement of the elastic locking piece in the unlocking direction, providing support without requiring the elastic locking piece itself to be large.
2Strength
If excessive force is applied to separate connected terminals and housings, then the connection is secure, but the elastic locking piece may displace and separate the shielding shell
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is installed beforehand to cushion and limit the displacement of the elastic locking piece. When excessive force is applied during separation, the retainer prevents the elastic locking piece from displacing too far, thereby preventing shielding shell separation before the connection is fully broken.
3Reliability
If a large-scale die device is used for caulking the braided wire, then secure fixing is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The core insertion step is extracted from the caulking process. The braided wire is caulked directly to the shielding shell without requiring a core, simplifying the device while maintaining secure fixing. The tightening band provides the necessary compression without needing a core structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tightening band structure allows the caulking operation to be self-sufficient. When the tightening band is compressed, it automatically caulk the braided wire to the shielding shell through friction and deformation, without requiring additional core structures or complex positioning mechanisms.
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 effectively fixes the housing to the shielding shell at a higher force without enlarging the connector, ensuring secure locking and efficient assembly, and allows for the use of a single tool to caulk tightening bands of different diameters, simplifying the process and eliminating the need for a large-scale die device.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible locking piece on the housing can lock an open edge of the shielding shell
Implementation Method 2
a retainer is mounted on a rear of the housing and prevents the elastic locking piece from flexibly displacing in an unlocking direction
Implementation Method 3
A tool is used to decrease the diameter of the tightening band and to caulk the open end of the braided wire on the braided wire-fixing part
Data Source
AI summary
A shielding connector has a housing (20) accommodating female terminals (15) connected to electric wires (10). The housing (20) is inserted in a die cast tubular shielding shell (40). An elastic locking piece (34) is provided on the housing (20) and locks an open edge (48) of the shielding shell (40) to prevent removal of the housing (20) that has been mounted properly in the housing (20). A retainer (50) is mounted on the housing (20) from the rear and prevents the elastic locking piece (34) from flexibly displacing in an unlocking direction. An open end (70A) of a braided wire (70) is placed on a mounting groove (46) formed on the shielding shell (40) and is fixed to the mounting groove (46) with a tightening band (60) whose diameter can be decreased with a tool.