Terminal Connector Erroneous Attachment Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal structures for connectors face challenges in preventing erroneous attachment and withdrawal, where the positions of the erroneous attachment prevention and withdrawal prevention portions are often constrained by each other, limiting the simplicity and effectiveness of the terminal's operation.
Innovation Solution
A terminal design featuring a tubular wall portion with a projection portion for erroneous attachment prevention and an engaging portion for withdrawal prevention, both positioned independently along the longitudinal direction, allowing for proper operation without mutual constraint, and incorporating abutting portions to maintain the projection's position and prevent collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the erroneous attachment prevention portion and withdrawal prevention portion are provided adjacent to each other in the terminal, then both functions can be integrated in a compact structure, but the positions of these two portions become constrained by each other, limiting design flexibility and operational independence
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal structure is segmented into distinct functional portions: the projection portion (erroneous attachment prevention) and the engaging portion (withdrawal prevention) are separated along the longitudinal direction. This segmentation allows each portion to be positioned independently without mutual constraint, resolving the contradiction between compact integration and position independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The two prevention portions are arranged in the longitudinal dimension rather than being adjacent in the same plane. The projection portion is positioned at one location along the longitudinal axis, while the engaging portion is positioned at a different location, utilizing the longitudinal dimension to achieve spatial separation and operational independence.
2Reliability
If the projection portion is made prominent for clear recognition of insertion orientation errors, then erroneous attachment prevention effectiveness is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and the projection may be more prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The projection portion is designed with localized prominence only where needed for insertion orientation recognition. The projection extends from the upper wall portion with a specific height that provides clear visual and tactile feedback, while the rest of the terminal structure maintains simplicity. This localized quality enhancement achieves reliable error prevention without overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection portion creates an asymmetric structure that is clearly visible and provides unambiguous insertion orientation guidance. The asymmetric projection design makes it immediately apparent when the terminal is oriented correctly versus incorrectly, improving reliability of erroneous attachment prevention while maintaining structural simplicity through purposeful asymmetry rather than complex mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the engaging portion is positioned far from the projection portion along the longitudinal direction, then operational independence is improved, but the terminal length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging portion is positioned at a sufficient distance from the projection portion to ensure operational independence, but not excessively far. This partial action approach achieves the minimum necessary separation for independent operation while avoiding unnecessary length increase. The positioning provides just enough spatial separation to prevent mutual constraint without extending the terminal beyond what is functionally required.
Data Source
AI summary
An abutting portion is provided as a portion of an edge portion of an upper wall portion, and abuts against an edge portion of a first side wall portion when the upper wall portion bends toward the inside of a tubular wall portion. The projection portion projects from the upper wall portion, and restricts insertion of the tubular wall portion toward the back of the housing by abutting against the housing when the tubular wall portion is inserted into the housing in an orientation different from a predetermined insertion orientation. The engaging portion is configured to be able to engage with an engaged portion provided on an inner side of the housing. The engaging portion is provided on the tubular wall portion at a position that shifted from or separated from the projection portion in the longitudinal direction of the tubular wall portion.