Connection Terminal Longitudinal Alignment for Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection terminals face challenges in miniaturization due to the offset disposition of the conductor crimping portion, which increases lateral size without corresponding reductions in longitudinal size, interfering with the latching elastic sheet.
Innovation Solution
The conductor crimping portion and latching elastic sheet are positioned opposite each other in the longitudinal direction, with a connecting portion that includes bent sections to reduce overall length, allowing for miniaturization while maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conductor crimping portion is disposed outside the receptacle portion in a lateral direction to be offset from the latching elastic sheet, then the conductor crimping portion will not be interfered with the latching elastic sheet, but the size of the connection terminal in the lateral direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the conductor crimping portion from a lateral offset arrangement to a longitudinal alignment opposite the latching elastic sheet. The connection portion is configured with bent sections that extend in the height direction (perpendicular to both longitudinal and lateral directions), effectively utilizing the third dimension to achieve spatial separation while maintaining compact lateral dimensions. This dimensional transition resolves the contradiction by preventing interference through vertical separation rather than lateral displacement.
2Area of stationary object
If the connection terminal is miniaturized by reducing lateral size, then the overall size is reduced, but the conductor crimping portion and latching elastic sheet may interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the height direction (perpendicular to both longitudinal and lateral directions) to achieve spatial separation between the conductor crimping portion and latching elastic sheet. The connection portion includes bent sections that extend vertically, creating sufficient clearance in the height dimension to prevent interference while allowing compact lateral dimensions for miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portion is pre-configured with bent sections during manufacturing that extend in the height direction. This preliminary spatial arrangement ensures that when the connection terminal is assembled and miniaturized, the conductor crimping portion and latching elastic sheet are already positioned to avoid interference, eliminating the need for lateral offset and enabling compact design.
3Reliability
If the connection portion is made longer in the longitudinal direction to prevent interference, then the conductor crimping portion and latching elastic sheet are separated, but the overall longitudinal size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the longitudinal length of the connection portion, the patent introduces bent sections that extend in the height direction (perpendicular to longitudinal and lateral directions). This vertical extension achieves the necessary separation between the conductor crimping portion and latching elastic sheet without compromising longitudinal compactness, effectively transferring the separation function from the longitudinal dimension to the height dimension.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The connection terminal comprises: a receptacle portion (100) located at one end of the connection terminal in a longitudinal direction (Y) thereof and adapted to be mated with a plug; a wire crimping portion (200) located at the other end of the connection terminal in the longitudinal direction (Y) thereof and adapted to be crimped onto a wire; and a connection portion (300) connected between a rear end of the receptacle portion and the wire crimping portion. The wire crimping portion comprises a conductor crimping portion (220) adapted to be crimped onto a conductor of the wire and an outer cladding crimping portion (230) adapted to be crimped onto an outer cladding of the wire. The receptacle portion comprises a latching elastic sheet (130) located at the rear end of the receptacle portion and adapted to be latched onto the inserted plug. The connection portion comprises a first connection portion (310) and a second connection portion (320), and the conductor crimping portion and the latching elastic sheet are disposed between the first connection portion and the second connection portions and opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction. The first connection portion and the second connection portion comprise a first bent portion (310a) and a second ben portion (320a), respectively, which protrude in a height direction. Thus, it is possible to prevent the latching elastic sheet and the conductor crimping portion from being interfered with each other during forming them.