Terminal Fitting Stabilizers with Curved Surfaces for Waterproof Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal fittings for waterproof connectors face challenges in preventing inverted insertion while maintaining a waterproof function, especially when the sealing hole diameter is minimized, leading to potential scratching of the inner peripheral surface and deformation of stabilizers.
Innovation Solution
The terminal fitting features stabilizers that are obliquely positioned and formed with C-surfaces and R-surfaces to prevent interference with the sealing hole, ensuring they remain within a circumscribed circle of the main portion, thus preventing deformation and scratching, and a lance hole with reinforcing beads to maintain the stabilizers' position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sealing hole diameter is minimized to reduce connector size, then the connector becomes more compact, but the stabilizers may scratch the inner peripheral surface of the sealing hole
Solution Approach 1:
R-surfaces with curved profiles are formed on the stabilizers to eliminate sharp edges that could scratch the sealing hole. The curved surfaces allow the stabilizers to pass through the minimized sealing hole without causing damage, resolving the contradiction between compact connector size and prevention of scratching.
Solution Approach 2:
C-surfaces are formed locally at the extending ends of the stabilizers where they interact with the sealing hole. This localized surface modification prevents scratching at the critical interface while maintaining the overall structure and function of the stabilizers.
2Reliability
If the stabilizers are made long and inclined to prevent inverted insertion, then the inverted insertion preventing function is improved, but the stabilizers are likely to be deformed when contacting the edge
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizers are designed with curved C-surfaces at their extending ends and R-surfaces along their lateral edges. These curved surfaces distribute contact stresses more evenly when the stabilizers engage with the housing edge, preventing deformation while maintaining the inverted insertion preventing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizers are pre-positioned with specific curvature and orientation before insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures that they engage with the housing edge in a controlled manner, preventing deformation during the insertion process while maintaining reliability in preventing inverted insertion.
3Reliability
If the stabilizers are positioned close to the lateral edges to prevent inverted insertion, then the inverted insertion preventing function is improved, but the projecting ends interfere with and scratch the inner peripheral surface of the sealing hole
Solution Approach 1:
C-surfaces are formed on the outer corners of the stabilizer extending ends, and R-surfaces are formed on the lateral edges. These curved surfaces eliminate sharp projecting ends that would otherwise interfere with and scratch the sealing hole, while maintaining the stabilizers' position close to the lateral edges for effective inverted insertion prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A female terminal has left and right stabilizers (30) extending from one surface of a rectangular tubular main portion (21). The stabilizers (30) are formed at predetermined distances in from opposite left and right lateral edges of the surface of the main portion (21) toward a widthwise center and assume oblique postures so that both extending ends gradually come closer to each other. The extending ends of the both stabilizers (30) are located within a circumscribed circle (X) of the main portion (21), C-surfaces (35A) are formed on corner portions of the outer lateral edges of extending end surfaces (31) of the both stabilizers (30) and R-surfaces (37A) are formed on lateral edges (36) of the C-surfaces (35A) on base end sides of the stabilizers (30).