Connector With Metal Nut On Terminal Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for electric wires on vehicles often result in oblique tightening of bolts due to inclined nut accommodation parts, leading to unreliable connections and potential cracking of synthetic resin bases.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a metal nut joined with a plate-shaped terminal fitting, eliminating the need for a terminal fitting base and ensuring the nut is not inclined, with a housing that supports the terminal fitting and prevents oblique tightening through a non-contact surface and supporting parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a nut accommodation part is provided on a synthetic resin base, then the nut can be accommodated and the bolt can be tightened, but the bottom surface of the nut accommodation part may be inclined due to molding error, causing the nut to be held in an inclined state and the bolt to be tightened obliquely, creating a defective connection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the nut from the synthetic resin base structure and provides it separately on the terminal fitting. The terminal fitting includes a through-hole with a press-fit portion where the nut is press-fitted, separating the nut accommodation function from the molded base. This eliminates the molding error-induced inclination problem while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal fitting acts as an intermediary component between the bolt connection and the terminal fitting base. By providing the through-hole and press-fit portion on the terminal fitting itself, it mediates the connection between the nut and the terminal fitting base, ensuring precise positioning without relying on molded features that are prone to inclination errors.
2Strength
If a metal nut is pressed into a nut accommodating part on a synthetic resin base, then the nut can be secured, but the synthetic resin may crack due to the difference in material properties and the pressing force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the nut securing function from the synthetic resin base and relocates it to the terminal fitting. The through-hole with press-fit portion is formed on the terminal fitting, allowing the metal nut to be press-fitted into a metal structure rather than synthetic resin, thereby eliminating the risk of cracking while maintaining strong securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material strategy by combining metal terminal fitting with metal nut through press-fit connection, rather than using metal nut with synthetic resin base. This material compatibility approach prevents cracking while achieving strong mechanical connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a terminal fitting base is used to hold the nut, then the nut can be accommodated, but the metal nut may drop from the terminal fitting base prior to tightening the bolt due to different coefficients of expansion for the synthetic resin and metal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the nut holding function from the terminal fitting base and integrates it directly into the terminal fitting structure. The through-hole with press-fit portion on the terminal fitting provides immediate and secure holding of the nut, eliminating the intermediate terminal fitting base that causes dropping due to thermal expansion differences.
4Device complexity
If the terminal fitting is not supported from behind, then the structure is simpler, but the terminal fitting may loosen in the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the terminal fitting support function with the housing structure. The housing includes a supporting part that contacts the rear surface of the terminal fitting, combining the housing's structural role with the support function to prevent loosening without adding separate support components.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting part on the housing acts as an intermediary that provides rear support to the terminal fitting. This mediator prevents the terminal fitting from loosening by distributing forces and maintaining positional stability during bolt tightening and operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector (10) having a plat-shaped terminal fitting (40) connected to a plate-shaped conductor (T) extended from equipment by tightening a bolt with the conductor (10) being overlapped on the terminal fitting (40) and a connector housing (11) holding the terminal fitting (40). A metal nut (45) into which a bolt (V1) is screwed is joined with the terminal fitting (40). The connector housing (11) has a supporting part (25) supporting both side edges of the terminal fitting (40) in a width direction thereof.