Terminal Fitting Stabilizers Prevent Housing Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal fittings risk damaging connector housings when improperly inserted due to steeply angled stabilizers that may scrape the housing surface, and struggle to reliably stop incorrect insertion postures without causing damage.

Innovation Solution

A terminal fitting design featuring a first stabilizer with a steeply angled front end and a second stabilizer with an inclined front end, where the second stabilizer contacts the housing surface first to prevent incorrect insertion, reducing the likelihood of damage and ensuring reliable stopping of the insertion process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the front ends of the stabilizers are inclined to recede toward projecting ends, then the likelihood of scraping off the facing wall surface of the housing is reduced, but it may not be possible to stop the insertion of the improperly oriented terminal fitting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage to housing surfaceVSAvoidinverted insertion preventing function

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizer is divided into two distinct segments: a first stabilizer with a front end extending steeply perpendicular to the front-back direction for reliable insertion stopping, and a second stabilizer with a front end inclined to recede for damage prevention. This segmentation allows each stabilizer to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between stopping reliability and damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the stabilizer structure are given different geometric properties: the first stabilizer has a perpendicular front end for maximum stopping force, while the second stabilizer has an inclined front end for gentle contact. This local differentiation of quality allows the system to simultaneously achieve both reliable stopping and damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the front end of the stabilizer extends steeply in the direction perpendicular to the front-back direction, then the insertion of the terminal fitting is stopped with high reliability, but the contact force with the housing may cause damage to the facing wall surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion stopping reliabilityVSAvoidimpact force on housing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second stabilizer is positioned to contact the housing surface before the first stabilizer during incorrect insertion. This preliminary action absorbs the initial impact force gently, preventing damage before the first stabilizer engages to provide reliable stopping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inclined front end of the second stabilizer acts as a cushioning element that contacts the housing surface first, reducing the impact force before it reaches the more rigid first stabilizer. This beforehand cushioning protects the housing from damage while maintaining stopping reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If a single stabilizer design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but it cannot simultaneously achieve both damage prevention and reliable insertion stopping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestabilizer configurationVSAvoidinverted insertion preventing function

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizer system is segmented into two functional components with different geometric configurations, allowing each to specialize in one aspect of the insertion control function while working together to provide comprehensive protection and stopping capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Both stabilizers work together to provide multiple functions: the second stabilizer provides damage prevention through gentle inclined contact, while the first stabilizer provides reliable stopping through perpendicular contact. The combined system achieves multi-functionality that neither stabilizer could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9570854B2Terminal fitting with stabilizers and connector

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

First and second stabilizers (26, 33) project on a main body (11) of a terminal fitting (10) while being spaced apart in a direction intersecting with a front-back direction. The first stabilizer (26) has a front end extending steeply in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front-back direction and the second stabilizer (33) has a front end part (38) inclined to recede. The front end part (38) of the second stabilizer (33) is more forward than the first stabilizer (26) so that the front end of the second stabilizer contacts a facing wall surface of a connector housing (60) before the first stabilizer (26) when an insertion posture is incorrect.