Wire Harness Connector Lock Structure for Clear Fitting Assurance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for wire harnesses lack enhanced workability during fitting operations with counterpart connectors.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing lock with an elastically deformable lock arm portion and a fitting assuring member with a cantilever spring shape, allowing for a tentative engagement position that transitions to a definitive engagement position through elastic deformation, ensuring a secure and easy fitting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional connector design is used, then the structure is simple, but the workability of fitting operations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses different colors for the tentative engagement position and definitive engagement position indicators to provide clear visual feedback during the fitting operation. The fitting assuring member changes position and color indication to guide the operator through the engagement process, improving ease of operation without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting assuring member acts as an intermediary element between the housing lock and the operator. It provides tactile and visual feedback about the engagement state, mediating the interaction between the operator and the connector to improve workability during fitting operations.
2Loss of information
If a single engagement position is provided, then the structure is simple, but the fitting state indication is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement process is segmented into two distinct positions: tentative engagement position and definitive engagement position. The fitting assuring member has corresponding segmented features (first and second engagement positions) that provide clear indication of the current engagement state, reducing information loss about the fitting status.
Solution Approach 2:
The tentative engagement position serves as a preliminary state before the definitive engagement. The fitting assuring member indicates this intermediate state, allowing the operator to know when to apply additional force to achieve full engagement, thereby providing complete information about the fitting process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the workability of fitting operations by providing clear indicators of the fitting state and ensuring a stable, secure connection between the connector and counterpart connector.
Implementation Method 1
a lock arm portion that extends from the housing main body along the axis line direction and is elastically deformable in a height direction intersecting with the axis line direction
Implementation Method 2
pushes the definitive engagement portion toward the lock engagement portion side by elastic restoring force of the fitting assuring arm portion
Implementation Method 3
the tentative engagement portion inclining in accordance with elastic deformation of the lock arm portion that is caused when the definitive engagement portion gets over the lock engagement portion
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a terminal, a housing, and a fitting assuring member, a housing lock of the housing includes a lock arm portion, a definitive engagement portion, and a tentative engagement portion, and the fitting assuring member includes a fitting assuring arm portion, a contact portion, a first protruding portion, and a second protruding portion, and the tentative engagement portion is provided with an inclined surface inclined with respect to an axis line direction, by the tentative engagement portion inclining in accordance with elastic deformation of the lock arm portion that is caused when the definitive engagement portion gets over the lock engagement portion.