Cap Protection Wall Isolates Locking Portion From External Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing terminal block modules face issues with unexpected removal of the cap from the housing due to unexpended loads acting on the locking portion, which can be caused by external forces or accidental contact.
Innovation Solution
A cap design featuring a locking portion and a protection wall with an extending portion and through holes, where the protection wall covers the locking portion and is spaced apart from it, reducing the likelihood of external forces being transmitted to the locking portion, and allowing controlled access to apply external force via the through holes, while the protection wall is reinforced with ribs for enhanced strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the locking portion is made accessible for easy removal, then ease of operation is improved, but unexpected removal due to external forces occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The protection wall acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the locking portion. It physically blocks direct access to the locking portion, preventing accidental contact while still allowing intentional removal through the through-hole. This mediator structure resolves the contradiction by filtering out unwanted external forces while permitting legitimate user operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is segmented into functional zones: the protection wall forms a barrier zone that isolates the locking portion from external forces, while the through-hole provides a controlled access channel. This segmentation allows different parts of the cap to serve conflicting functions - the protection wall prevents accidental removal while the through-hole enables intentional removal.
2Device complexity
If the protection wall is positioned close to the locking portion for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but external forces can still transmit to the locking portion
Solution Approach 1:
The extending portion serves as a mediator structure that connects the protection wall to the locking portion while preventing direct force transmission. By positioning the protection wall spaced apart from the locking portion and connecting them through the extending portion with a through-hole, the design blocks harmful external forces while maintaining structural integrity and compactness.
3Reliability
If the locking portion is reinforced for stronger locking, then reliability is improved, but the cap becomes more difficult to remove when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two independent pathways: a protected pathway through the protection wall that blocks accidental access, and a controlled pathway through the through-hole that enables intentional removal. This segmentation allows the locking portion to be strongly reinforced without increasing removal difficulty, as long as the user applies force through the designated through-hole channel.
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 design effectively suppresses the unexpected removal of the cap from the housing, preventing accidental dislodgment due to external forces or contact, while allowing controlled removal and enhancing the protection wall's strength.
Implementation Method 1
the cap includes a locking portion to be locked to the housing, for example, by resilient deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A cap (50) is mounted on a housing (22) for accommodating a device-side terminal connected to equipment and a wire-side terminal connected to a wire, the housing (22) being formed with a second opening (228) for exposing a connected part of the device-side terminal and the wire-side terminal, and is provided with a cap body (51) for closing the second opening (228) of the housing (22), locking portions (52) to be locked to outer side surfaces of the housing (22), and protection walls (53) for covering the locking portions (52) while being spaced apart from the locking portions (52).