Electric Terminal Layout With Angled Connectors for Compact Cases
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric apparatus terminal structures, such as those in vehicles with high-voltage batteries and power converters, require large openings for tool insertion, leading to increased size and occupancy space, which is undesirable for compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A terminal structure with a plurality of terminals arranged such that their connecting parts intersect at obtuse angles and have through-holes for bolt insertion, allowing for a reduced tool insertion opening size and overall case size by optimizing the layout and orientation of the terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If terminals are disposed along the circumferential surface of the motor housing, then the connecting structure is simplified, but a large opening is required for tool insertion which increases the case size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional circumferential arrangement of terminals to a three-dimensional configuration where terminals are arranged at different heights and angles. The connecting parts are disposed at different positions in the vertical direction and intersect at obtuse angles, allowing tool insertion holes to be positioned on the side surface rather than requiring a large opening on the top surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of connecting parts where adjacent connecting parts intersect at obtuse angles rather than being symmetrically arranged. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the spatial distribution of tool insertion holes, allowing them to be positioned on the side surface of the case, thereby reducing the required case size.
2Ease of operation
If a large opening is provided for tool insertion, then wiring connection is facilitated, but the case and lid size must be large which increases occupancy space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tool insertion access into multiple smaller holes positioned on the side surface of the case, rather than requiring a single large opening. Each connecting part has its own tool insertion hole, allowing sequential access and connection operations through these distributed smaller openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The side surface of the case serves as an intermediary surface for tool insertion, replacing the traditional top-surface large opening approach. By positioning tool insertion holes on the side surface, the patent enables wiring connection operations without requiring the case and lid to be large in size.
3Area of stationary object
If connecting parts are arranged to intersect at obtuse angles, then the case size is reduced, but the arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of connecting parts arrangement by specifying that adjacent connecting parts intersect at obtuse angles. This parameter change optimizes the spatial configuration, allowing compact arrangement of terminals and reduction of case size while maintaining manufacturability and assembly feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal structure includes mutually adjacent first and second terminals, each having a connecting part for electric connection to an external apparatus, and a case accommodating the terminals and having a tool insertion opening. The connecting parts have a flat connecting surface. When first and second virtual planes along the connecting surfaces and first and second normal lines to the connecting surfaces are drawn, the virtual planes intersect with each other at an obtuse angle, and when viewed from one side in a direction in which a line intersection between the virtual planes extends, the normal lines pass through the opening and intersect with each other at an opposite side of the disposed positions of the connecting parts with respect to a position at half of the shorter one of first and second distances from the first and second virtual planes to the opening.