Electrical Connection Box Grounding via Fixing Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ground connection structures for electrical connection boxes on vehicles require additional conductor wires and complex configurations, increasing design, manufacturing, and assembly time, as well as costs.

Innovation Solution

A ground connection structure that integrates a first ground contact portion on the vehicle body and a second ground contact portion on the electrical connection box, connected via a fixing member, allowing direct surface contact and eliminating the need for grounding conductor wires, utilizing flexible engagement hooks and protrusions for secure and efficient grounding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conductor wire is used to connect grounding conductor portions to a ground point outside the electrical connection box, then reliable ground connection is achieved, but the number of man-hours in design, manufacture and assembly increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground connection reliabilityVSAvoidman-hours in design, manufacture and assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the grounding function with the fixing structure by integrating ground contact portions into the fixing member and electrical connection box. The fixing member includes a first ground contact portion that contacts the vehicle body, while the electrical connection box has a second ground contact portion that contacts the first ground contact portion during fixation, eliminating the need for separate grounding wires and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing member serves multiple functions: it mechanically secures the electrical connection box to the vehicle body and simultaneously provides a grounding path through its ground contact portion. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated grounding components, reducing both assembly time and cost while maintaining reliable ground connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a conductor wire is used to connect grounding conductor portions to a ground point outside the electrical connection box, then reliable ground connection is achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground connection reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial usage and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the grounding function from the separate conductor wire system and integrates it directly into the fixing structure and electrical connection box. This extraction eliminates unnecessary material (grounding wires) while maintaining the essential grounding function, thereby reducing cost and material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the second ground contact portion has a flat plate shape for surface contact with the vehicle body, then ground connection is simplified, but contact reliability may be insufficient without additional contact features

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground connection structure complexityVSAvoidground contact reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adding protrusions to specific locations on the contact surface of the second ground contact portion. These protrusions concentrate contact force at key points, ensuring reliable electrical contact with the vehicle body's ground point while maintaining the overall simplicity of the flat plate structure. This localized enhancement provides necessary contact reliability without significantly increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution simplifies the ground connection process, reduces material usage, and decreases the number of man-hours required for design and assembly, thereby lowering costs and ensuring reliable grounding performance.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member configured to press into contact the second ground contact portion with the first ground contact portion by an elastic force of the elastic member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the locking protrusion being engaged with a hole edge of the engagement hole by an elastic restoration action of the engagement hook

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic restoration action: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10886678B2Ground connection structure of electrical connection box and fixation object and electrical connection box

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

A ground connection structure for an electrical connection box and a fixation object, includes a first ground contact portion provided on the fixation object, a second ground contact portion provided on the electrical connection box and electrically connected to the first ground contact portion when the electrical connection box is fixed to the fixation object, a ground circuit body provided in the electrical connection box and electrically connected to the second ground contact portion, and a fixing member configured to fix the electrical connection box to the fixation object such that the second ground contact portion is brought into contact with the first ground contact portion.