Electric Terminal Secondary Latching for Stable Connector Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors in the automotive sector face challenges in ensuring reliable transmission of electrical power and signals in harsh environments, requiring improved locking and securing mechanisms to withstand mechanical stress, temperature, contamination, and chemical aggression while being miniaturized to reduce installation space and resource usage.
Innovation Solution
The electric terminal features a locking lance with additional axial securing and a secondary latching device, providing a mechanical connection and circumferential connection between side walls to securely latch the terminal in a connector housing, enhancing durability and resistance to forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single locking mechanism is used in the terminal, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the electrical connection deteriorates under mechanical stress and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent parts: a primary locking lance and a secondary latching device. The locking lance provides initial mechanical interlocking, while the secondary latching device provides additional securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while together they provide redundant reliability without requiring a completely complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary latching device acts as a pre-prepared backup securing mechanism that engages after the primary locking lance. This provides beforehand cushioning against potential failure or insufficient engagement of the primary locking mechanism, ensuring connection reliability is maintained even under harsh environmental conditions and mechanical stress.
2Volume of moving object
If the terminal dimensions are reduced for miniaturization, then the installation space and resource usage are reduced, but the strength and stability of the locking mechanism deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly scaling down all dimensions, the invention applies local quality by concentrating locking features at specific critical locations. The locking lance and secondary latching device are positioned at key engagement points where they provide maximum mechanical advantage and securing force, allowing the overall terminal volume to be reduced while maintaining locking strength at these critical local regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal employs composite construction with the locking lance and secondary latching device forming a composite locking system. This composite approach allows different geometric configurations and material properties to be combined, providing high strength-to-volume ratio in the locking mechanism while keeping the overall terminal compact and miniaturized.
3Force
If additional axial securing and circumferential connection are added to the locking lance, then the resistance to mechanical forces is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple locking functions into an integrated system where the locking lance with axial securing and the secondary latching device with circumferential connection work together as a unified mechanical interlocking system. This merging provides comprehensive force resistance in multiple directions (axial and circumferential) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured as integrated components rather than separate assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric terminal including a contact section having a locking lance locking the electric terminal in a connector housing of an electric connector and a transition section extending from the contact section and having a secondary latching with a secondary latching device latching the electric terminal in the connector housing. The locking lance is axially additionally secured in the contact section away from an attachment of the locking lance to the contact section and/or a plurality of side walls of the electric terminal are closed by a circumferential connection in the secondary latching device.