Stacked Connector Rear Wall Structure to Prevent Housing Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing stacking connector design separates when wires from the lower housing are pulled downward and those from the upper housing are pulled upward, leading to unintended separation of housings in a stacked state.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring multiple stacked housings with terminal fittings and a rear wall portion formed as a single component, including through holes and separation restricting portions to prevent wire separation, reducing the likelihood of housing separation by absorbing pulling forces and guiding terminal fittings correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wires are drawn out rearward from the housing for terminal fittings, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to housing separation when wires are pulled in opposite directions
Solution Approach 1:
A rear wall portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the housings and wires. This rear wall includes separation restricting portions that actively prevent wire separation in opposite directions, thereby mediating between the ease of wire insertion and the stability of stacked housings.
2Reliability
If additional locking mechanisms are added to prevent housing separation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation restricting function is merged into the rear wall portion that already exists for wire guidance. By integrating the separation restriction feature into the existing rear wall structure, the patent prevents housing separation without adding separate locking mechanisms, thus maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear wall portion with separation restricting portions serves dual functions: guiding wire insertion and preventing housing separation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional dedicated locking components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Separation of housings in a stacked state can be suppressed. A connector (1) is provided with housings (10, 20, 30) to be stacked on each other, terminal fittings (50) to be accommodated into the respective housings (10, 20, 30), wires (60) fixed to the terminal fittings (50) and drawn out rearward, and a rear wall portion (40). The rear wall portion (40) includes a through hole (42) for allowing passage of the wires (60) and is molded as a single part. The rear wall portion (40) is formed with first separation restricting portions (43) and second separation restricting portions (44) for restricting separation of the wires (60) arranged in a stacking direction of the respective housings (10, 20, 30) from the other wires (60) in an opposite direction along the stacking direction.