Stacking Connector Self-Retention Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors require manual handling to maintain stacked housings in place during assembly, leading to inefficiencies in operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a first member with a terminal accommodating chamber and communication opening, and a second member with a base and projection that engages the first member's terminal fitting, including a lock to secure the assembly and prevent separation, allowing for automatic retention without manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual holding of stacked housings is required during assembly, then the housings can be retained in position, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to increased manual handling time
Solution Approach 1:
The connector components perform self-retention through the lock and receiving portion mechanism. The lock on the projection automatically engages with the receiving portion on the outer surface, causing the components to self-assemble and self-retain without requiring manual holding or external intervention during the stacking process
Solution Approach 2:
The lock and receiving portion act as intermediary elements that mediate between the projection and the outer surface. These intermediary features enable automatic engagement and retention, eliminating the need for manual handling while ensuring proper positioning and secure connection of the stacked housings
2Reliability
If the projection is added to engage terminal fittings, then terminal fitting retention is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional structural elements
Solution Approach 1:
The projection serves multiple functions simultaneously: it engages the terminal fitting through the communication opening to provide retention, and it includes the lock feature that engages with the receiving portion on the outer surface to provide self-retention of the stacked housings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The lock feature is merged into the projection structure itself rather than being a separate component. The projection and lock form an integrated element that combines terminal fitting engagement and housing retention functions, reducing the number of discrete parts while enhancing the reliability of terminal fitting retention
Data Source
AI summary
Each housing (10) includes terminal accommodating chambers (12), a communication opening (14) formed in an outer surface and communicating with the terminal accommodating chambers (12), and projections (16) projecting from a terminal accommodating portion (11). With the housings (10) placed one above the other, the projections (16) inserted in the terminal accommodating chambers (12) through the communication opening (14) are engaged with terminal fittings (20) in the terminal accommodating chambers (12) to retain the terminal fittings (20). Receiving portions (13) are provided in each housing (10) and each projection (16) includes a lock (18) to be engaged with the corresponding receiving portion (13) to hold the housings (10) in an assembled state.