Electrical Terminal Retainer Assembly for Stable Connector Engagement
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical terminals face connectivity issues due to tolerance variations, contamination, and degradation when used with removable connectors, leading to loose or blocked mating arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A retainer system is designed to securely retain electrically conductive terminals within receptacles, featuring a longitudinal body with an aperture and a shoulder that engages the receptacle's distal end, along with radial fasteners or barbs for stable positioning and fastening, minimizing tolerance stack-up and ensuring reliable electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical terminals are used with removable connectors, then electrical connectivity is facilitated, but connectivity becomes poor due to tolerance variations, contamination, and degradation from repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the terminal retention system into separate functional components: a retainer body that holds the terminal, a shoulder that provides positioning, and fasteners that secure the assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability while maintaining stability against degradation from repeated connector mating operations
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is pre-assembled with the terminal before insertion into the receptacle. This preliminary assembly ensures proper positioning and secure attachment of the terminal to the retainer body, preventing tolerance stack-up and ensuring consistent electrical connectivity even after repeated use and exposure to contamination
2Stability of the object's composition
If a retainer is designed to securely retain terminals, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components like body, shoulder, and fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into a single integrated retainer assembly: the retainer body provides terminal holding, the shoulder provides positioning and alignment, and the fasteners provide secure attachment. This merging of functions into one compact unit achieves stable terminal retention without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as all components work together in a coordinated manner within a single assembly
3Reliability
If fasteners are spaced apart from the body, then fastening reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fasteners are positioned at specific locations spaced apart from the retainer body, creating localized attachment points that provide reliable fastening. This strategic positioning allows each fastener to independently secure the retainer assembly, improving overall fastening reliability while the spaced-apart configuration actually reduces manufacturing precision requirements compared to having all fasteners clustered in one location
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer is provided to retain an electrically conductive terminal within a receptacle. The retainer has a longitudinal body sized to be received by the receptacle and engage the terminal to retain the terminal within the receptacle. The body has an aperture formed therethrough sized to receive a pin through the aperture to contact the terminal. A shoulder extends transversely from the body to engage a distal end of the receptacle and position the body relative to the receptacle. A fastener extends longitudinally from the shoulder and is spaced apart from the body to fasten the retainer to the receptacle. A receptacle assembly is provided with a barb formed externally on a body. An electrically conductive terminal is received within the receptacle assembly. A retainer is provided on an opening of the receptacle to retain the terminal therein in engagement with the barb to fasten the retainer to the body.