Connector Terminal Locking With Integrated CAN Bus Resistor Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle CAN bus systems, the need to locate terminal resistors at specific ends of the bus to prevent signal reflection leads to inefficient bus routing, causing unnecessary bus length and increased costs due to excessive cable stubs and complex cabling, which complicates debugging and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A connector with a resistor mounting portion and a terminal locking mechanism that allows flexible resistor placement, reducing the need for excessive cable stubs and bus winding, and simplifies the structure of buses and cable stubs by integrating a resistor connecting member for reliable electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terminal resistors are located at specific ends of the bus to prevent signal reflection, then signal quality is improved, but bus routing becomes complex and bus length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connector as an intermediary component that integrates the terminal resistor mounting function. The connector housing includes a resistor mounting portion with through-holes that receive resistors, and terminal locking mechanisms that secure terminals. This intermediary structure allows flexible placement of resistors without constraining bus routing, thereby maintaining signal quality while reducing bus length and simplifying routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with multi-functionality: it simultaneously provides terminal locking, resistor mounting, and electrical connection functions. The terminal locking mechanism fastens terminals to the connector housing, while the resistor mounting portion accommodates resistors in through-holes. This universal design eliminates the need for separate resistor mounting structures, providing flexibility in resistor placement and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If terminal resistors are located at specific ends of the bus, then signal reflection is prevented, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the terminal locking function and resistor mounting function into a single connector structure. The connector housing integrates both the terminal locking mechanism and the resistor mounting portion with through-holes. This merging eliminates the need for separate resistor mounting brackets or additional fastening components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to prevent signal reflection through proper resistor placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it locks terminals in place, provides mounting locations for resistors through integrated through-holes, and establishes electrical connections. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed in the cabling structure, simplifying installation and maintenance while ensuring reliable signal transmission.
3Reliability
If bus is wound around electronic devices to meet cable stub length requirements, then communication reliability is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector acts as an intermediary that decouples the resistor placement requirement from the bus routing constraints. By providing dedicated resistor mounting portions with through-holes in the connector housing, the system allows resistors to be mounted at optimal locations without requiring the bus to be wound around electronic devices. This reduces cable length and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining communication reliability.
4Reliability
If excessive cable stubs are used to connect terminals, then terminal connection reliability is improved, but structure complexity and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the terminal connection function and resistor mounting function into a single integrated connector structure. The terminal locking mechanism secures terminals directly to the connector housing, which also contains the resistor mounting portion with through-holes. This integration eliminates the need for excessive separate cable stubs and intermediate mounting structures, reducing structural complexity and potential sources of interference while maintaining terminal connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a connector housing and a terminal mounted on the connector housing. A resistor mounting portion and a resistor connecting member are disposed on the connector. The resistor mounting portion is configured to mount the resistor, and the resistor connecting member is configured to electrically connect the resistor to the terminal.