Bussed Electrical Center Integrated Fastener Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bussed electrical centers in automotive vehicles face challenges in ensuring a reliable and secure electrical connection between the power cable and the printed circuit board, which can lead to inconsistent power delivery and potential mechanical instability.
Innovation Solution
A design featuring a power cable with a ring-shaped terminal end and a conductive connector ring, along with a compression ring and threaded fasteners, ensures a secure mechanical and electrical connection by pressing the connector ring against the terminal end as the housing components are fastened together, providing a calibrated force for a stable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mechanical fastening and electrical connection methods are used, then mechanical stability is achieved, but device complexity increases and assembly reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical fastening and electrical connection functions into a single integrated fastener system. The fastener simultaneously secures the power cable to the housing and establishes electrical contact through its conductive body, eliminating the need for separate mechanical and electrical connection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both mechanical fastening and electrical connection tasks. This universal component reduces the overall number of parts needed in the system while ensuring both structural stability and reliable electrical power delivery to the blower motor.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple separate connection components are used, then mechanical stability is improved, but assembly time and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple connection functions into a single fastener component that simultaneously provides mechanical attachment and electrical connectivity. This integration reduces the number of assembly steps and components while maintaining both mechanical stability and electrical reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is designed with distinct functional zones - a mechanical fastening portion that secures the cable to the housing, and a conductive contact portion that establishes electrical connection with the blower motor terminal, allowing each function to be optimized independently within the unified component.
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 provides a reliable electrical connection and mechanical stability to the bussed electrical center, ensuring consistent power delivery and easy assembly while minimizing the risk of electrical disconnection.
Implementation Method 1
A compression ring is positioned between the first and second fasteners for providing a compression force as the fasteners are tightened together
Data Source
AI summary
A bussed electrical center has a power cable for feeding electrical power to the bussed electrical center. A printed circuit board subassembly is interposed between a first housing member and a second housing member that are connectable together. An electrically conductive connector has a prong end and a distal end. The prong end is operably connected to the printed circuit board subassembly. A first fastener and a second fastener are positioned on opposite sides of the first and second housing members. When the first and second fasteners are tightened together to a draw the first and second housing members together to mechanically fasten the bussed electrical center together, the distal end and the terminal end are pressed against each other for electrical connection to each other to electrically connect the power cable to the printed circuit board subassembly.