Connector Coupling Spring Positioning for Terminal Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors used in vehicles face challenges in absorbing displacement between terminals without obstructing visual inspection and protrusion of male terminals, making it difficult to check the fit and perform electrical inspections.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with a box shape and coupling spring that connects two cylindrical female terminals without overlapping their openings, allowing for visual inspection and protrusion of male terminals, thereby facilitating the absorption of displacement and easy inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coupling spring couples at side walls of two female terminals farthest apart from each other, then the displacement difference between male terminals can be absorbed, but it becomes difficult to view the fitted state of terminals and perform inspections
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling spring is repositioned from the farthest side walls to adjacent side walls of the female terminals. This spatial reconfiguration in a different dimensional arrangement allows the spring to maintain its displacement absorption function while eliminating overlap with terminal openings, thereby enabling visual inspection and electrical testing from above without obstruction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the coupling spring is positioned to maximize displacement absorption, then terminal connection stability is improved, but the openings of female terminals are covered making visual inspection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling spring is extracted from its traditional position that overlaps the terminal openings and repositioned to connect adjacent side walls. This separation removes the obstruction caused by the spring, allowing clear visual inspection of the fitted state and electrical inspection of terminals while the spring continues to provide stable connection through proper coupling.
3Strength
If the coupling spring connects female terminals at farthest side walls, then structural strength is enhanced, but male terminal protrusion for inspection is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling spring is repositioned to connect adjacent side walls rather than farthest side walls, creating a different spatial configuration. This dimensional change in spring placement allows male terminals to protrude through openings beyond the coupling spring for inspection, while the spring maintains sufficient structural strength through its optimized position and connection geometry.
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
Enables effective absorption of terminal displacement while allowing easy visual verification and electrical inspection, improving reliability and safety by preventing the coupling spring from obstructing the openings of the female terminals.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling spring coupling together the first female terminal and the second female terminal... the coupling spring connects the first female terminal and the second female terminal to each other... can absorb displacement between the two female terminals (two male terminals) by the coupling spring
Data Source
AI summary
A female connection terminal includes a first female terminal having a substantially cylindrical shape with openings at one end and another end, a second female terminal having a substantially cylindrical shape with openings at one end and another end, and a coupling spring coupling together the first female terminal and the second female terminal at the other end of the first female terminal and the other end of the second female terminal. The coupling spring connects the first female terminal and the second female terminal to each other without, when viewed from an upper side, overlapping at least one of the openings of the first female terminal on the other end side and at least one of the openings of the second female terminal on the other end side.