Conductive Terminal With Resilient Insert For Connector Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical terminals face issues with poor connectivity due to tolerance variations and degradation from repeated use, leading to loose or insecure mating arrangements between terminals and connectors, which can cause misalignment and damage to the connector.
Innovation Solution
An electrical terminal design featuring a conducting body with varying diameters and a resilient element, such as a coil spring, to facilitate an interference fit and improve connectivity by providing a funnel-like entry and secure positioning of the connector, minimizing misalignment and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient element providing an interference fit is used to improve connectivity, then electrical connectivity is improved, but the complexity of the terminal structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is positioned within the open end of the terminal body, creating a nested structure where the resilient element is contained within the terminal. This nesting approach improves connectivity through the interference fit while containing the added complexity within a specific region rather than distributing it throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element is specifically positioned at the open end of the terminal where it is needed to improve connectivity, rather than modifying the entire terminal structure. This localized approach addresses the connectivity issue at the critical interface region while minimizing overall structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the open end has a larger diameter to facilitate connector insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but misalignment and damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is pre-positioned within the open end of the terminal before connector insertion. This preliminary action creates a guiding structure that begins to constrain and align the connector as it enters, preventing misalignment before it occurs while still allowing easy insertion through the sufficiently large open end diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element acts as an intermediary structure between the terminal body and the connector. It provides a transition zone that facilitates easy insertion through its compliant nature while simultaneously providing alignment constraints to prevent misalignment and damage to the connector.
3Reliability
If tolerance variations and degradation from repeated use occur, then connectivity deteriorates, but increasing the interference fit strength may damage the connector
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element provides a dynamic interference fit that can adapt to tolerance variations and degradation from repeated use. The resilient nature allows the fit to maintain electrical connectivity while accommodating dimensional changes and wear, preventing both connectivity deterioration and connector damage through its compliant characteristics.
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
The design enhances electrical connectivity by maintaining a secure fit despite tolerance variations and repeated use, reducing the risk of misalignment and damage to the connector, while allowing for easy alignment and insertion of connectors with varying shapes, including bent leading ends.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element having an opening configured to receive the connector being positioned within the third portion
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical terminal having at least one open end that is configured to receive a connector in an electrically conducting manner. The open end portion of the connector may be configured with differently sized and/or shaped portions to facilitate receipt of connector, such as to receive the connector in a manner that limits misalignment and/or receipt of bent or crooked connectors.