Wire Harness Connector Latch Restriction for Secure Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for vehicular wire harnesses face challenges in properly assembling components such as housing, front holders, and sealing members, leading to inefficiencies in electrical connections and sealing.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing, inner housing, front holder, rear cover, and latch mechanisms with restriction pieces that securely assemble and maintain the components, ensuring proper electrical connections and sealing through latching and restriction of excessive deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connector designs are used, then assembly of housing, front holder, and sealing member can be performed, but proper assembly and reliability under load are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple assembly functions into integrated structures: the latch mechanism integrates locking and positioning functions, the restriction piece combines deformation control with assembly guidance, and the front holder integrates sealing member retention with structural support. This merging of functions improves assembly reliability while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The restriction piece is pre-installed on the front holder before final assembly, establishing predetermined deformation limits and assembly paths. The latch mechanism is pre-configured with specific engagement geometries that guide the assembly process. These preliminary actions ensure proper component alignment and prevent assembly errors before the final assembly operation occurs.
2Reliability
If simple assembly structures are used, then assembly process is simple, but components may disassemble under load
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: the housing, front holder, latch mechanism, and restriction piece. Each segment has a specific function and can be assembled in a defined sequence. This segmentation allows for manageable assembly steps while ensuring that each component contributes to the overall connection stability through its dedicated function.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism incorporates dynamic elements that allow for controlled movement during assembly and provide automatic locking once engaged. The restriction piece allows controlled deformation within specific limits while maintaining structural integrity. These dynamic characteristics enable easy assembly through natural movement and engagement while ensuring stable connection under operational loads.
3Reliability
If restrictive measures are added to prevent disassembly, then connection stability improves, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock components together through its own structural geometry without requiring additional fastening operations or external tools. The restriction piece self-regulates deformation through its predetermined structural limits. These self-service characteristics provide anti-disassembly capability while minimizing assembly complexity by eliminating the need for separate locking operations or complex adjustment procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A connector (1) applied to a wire harness includes a housing (2) housing a terminal (T), a front holder (4) assembled to an end portion in an axial direction (X) of the housing (2), and a restriction member (5) assembled to the housing (2). One of the housing (2) and the front holder (4) has a latch claw portion (81) that latches the housing (2) and the front holder (4). The other of the housing (2) and the front holder (4) has a latch arm portion (82) extending along the axial direction (X) and latched to the latch claw portion (81). The restriction member (5) has a restriction piece (54) that is located adjacent to the latch arm portion (82) that is in a state of being latched to the latch claw portion (81), the restriction piece (54) restricting displacement of the latch arm portion (82) toward a latch release side.