Connector Assembly with Displaceable Bolt for Thread Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rigidity of screw threads in connector assemblies used for power transmission between in-vehicle devices may fail under high contact pressure, and extending the fastening bolt to increase engagement length can interfere with other components, complicating the connection process.
Innovation Solution
A first connector with a fastening bolt that is displaceable within a bolt insertion hole, allowing for increased engagement length without extending the bolt, featuring a bolt head portion, inserting shaft, and engaging protrusion to facilitate threadable engagement with a nut before contact pressure is applied, ensuring stable connection and preventing screw thread breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fastening bolt is made longer to increase screw thread engagement length, then the engagement length of screw threads is increased, but the fastening bolt projects long and interferes with another member, hindering the connecting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt insertion hole is divided into two functional zones: a first region with a larger diameter that allows the fastening bolt to be inserted and engage the nut with sufficient thread engagement length, and a second region with a smaller diameter that acts as a stopper to prevent the bolt from projecting too far and interfering with other members. This segmentation enables the bolt to have adequate engagement length without excessive projection.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt insertion hole structure serves as an intermediary mechanism between the fastening bolt and the external environment. By designing the hole with varying diameters (larger first region for engagement, smaller second region as stopper), it mediates the conflict between needing long engagement and avoiding interference, allowing the bolt to function properly without directly causing the interference problem.
2Productivity
If the contact pressure between terminals is applied simultaneously with screw thread engagement, then the connection is established quickly, but the rigidity of screw threads cannot withstand the contact pressure and the screw threads may be broken
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt insertion hole is pre-configured with a first region of larger diameter that accommodates the fastening bolt during the engagement phase, allowing the screw threads to engage the nut without immediate application of full contact pressure. This preliminary structural arrangement enables controlled engagement before the terminal contact pressure is applied, preventing thread breakage while maintaining connection efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A first connector includes a first terminal, a first housing, a fastening bolt and a bolt insertion hole penetrating through the first housing. The fastening bolt is displaceable with respect to the bolt insertion hole between an initial position and a connection start position. The fastening bolt is arranged at the initial position by a tip of a bolt-side screw portion contacting an opening of a nut and displaced to the connection start position by the bolt-side screw portion of the fastening bolt being threadably engaged with a nut-side screw portion provided in the nut in a state where the first connector is temporarily fixed to a second connector and no contact pressure is generated between the first terminal and a second terminal.