Connection Terminal Uplift Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connection terminals experience a decrease in spring force and durability due to the uplift of contact members from the inner periphery of female connectors during insertion of male connectors, leading to interference and reduced workability.

Innovation Solution

A connection terminal design featuring a contact member with an arcuate shape and an uplift prevention unit that locks the first contact unit to the outer wall of the female connector, preventing inward movement and maintaining contact integrity during insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a cylindrical contact member is inserted into an internal space while being reduced in diameter, then the contact member can be housed in the internal space along the inner periphery of the female connector, but the contact member is deformed until reaching a plastic range, causing a decrease in spring force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecylindrical shape of contact memberVSAvoidspring force of contact member

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The contact member is designed with a curved outer periphery that corresponds to the inner periphery of the female connector, allowing it to bend elastically along the curved path during insertion without exceeding the plastic deformation range. This curved geometry enables the contact member to maintain its spring force while being housed in the internal space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If the contact member is deformed until reaching a plastic range, then the contact member can be inserted into the internal space, but this causes a decrease in spring force with respect to the inner periphery of the female connector

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion of contact member into internal spaceVSAvoidspring force maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the deformation parameter from plastic range to elastic range by designing the contact member with appropriate material properties and geometric dimensions. The contact member is configured to undergo only elastic deformation during insertion, ensuring that the spring force is maintained while still enabling insertion into the internal space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the contact member spring force decreases, then the contact member can be inserted into the internal space, but the contact member may be uplifted from the inner periphery of the female connector

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion of contact memberVSAvoidposition of contact member on inner periphery

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The contact member is pre-configured with a curved outer periphery that matches the inner periphery of the female connector before insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures that during insertion, the contact member follows the curved path and maintains proper positioning, preventing uplift from the inner periphery while requiring only elastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If the contact member is uplifted from the inner periphery of the female connector, then the contact member can be inserted, but this causes a male connector to interfere with the contact member at the time of insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion processVSAvoidinterference between male connector and contact member

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contact member is designed with a curved outer periphery that proactively prevents uplift during the insertion process. By maintaining proper positioning through elastic deformation along the curved path, the contact member avoids interfering with the male connector, eliminating the harmful interference effect before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 durability and workability by preventing contact member uplift, ensuring reliable electrical connections and reducing interference between the male and female connectors.

Implementation Method 1

When the male connector is inserted into this cylindrical portion, spring force of the contact member is used to electrically connect the female connector and the male connector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10205261B2Connection terminal

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

A connection terminal includes a contact member including a first contact unit having an arcuate outer periphery that is formed along an inner periphery of the female connector and is electrically connected to a female connector, and a second contact unit that is connected to the first contact unit and pushed outward in a radial direction by the male connector inside the internal space so as to be electrically connected to the male connector, and an uplift prevention unit that is locked not to move inward in the radial direction at an outer wall surface of the female connector and is configured to prevent an uplift of the first contact unit from the inner periphery of the female connector.