Electrical Connector Voltage Detection Terminal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors face challenges in easily confirming the conductive state within the casing while maintaining appropriate conduction characteristics between the connection terminal and the core wire of the electric wire, often resulting in increased resistance and potential anti-vibration issues.

Innovation Solution

The connector design incorporates a conductive voltage detection terminal that branches from the conduction path between the connection terminal and the core wire, with the connection part attached closer to the covering than the curved part of the core wire, and a voltage detection part facing a through hole, allowing for easy confirmation of the conductive state without increasing the number of connection points and improving anti-vibration performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a through hole is formed in the casing to confirm conductive state, then conduction confirmation becomes possible, but the conduction characteristics between connection terminal and core wire deteriorate due to increased resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductive state confirmationVSAvoidconduction characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A conductive adhesive is introduced as an intermediary substance to fill the through hole and establish an electrical connection between the voltage detection terminal and the core wire. This adhesive mediator enables conductive state confirmation through the casing while maintaining appropriate conduction characteristics by providing a low-resistance path for electrical current.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces a purely mechanical contact system with an electrochemical bonding system. The conductive adhesive combines mechanical adhesion properties with electrical conductivity, allowing the voltage detection terminal to be firmly attached to the core wire while simultaneously providing a reliable electrical connection for conduction confirmation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the connection part is attached closer to the covering than the curved part of the core wire, then anti-vibration performance improves, but the ease of connection decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-vibration performanceVSAvoidconnection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive adhesive serves as a flexible intermediary that bridges the connection part and the core wire at an optimized position. By placing the connection part closer to the covering, the adhesive mediator accommodates the geometric constraints while maintaining reliable electrical connection and improving anti-vibration performance through its bonding properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3675287B1Electrical connector
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP3675287B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3675287B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3675287B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A connector (1) includes: a casing (10) that has a housing space (SP), a through hole (10hb) communicating the housing space (SP) with an external space, and an electric wire insertion hole (10hc), and that holds a connection terminal (40) connected to a counterpart device; a wiring material (W) that has a distal end part (20a) inserted into the housing space (SP) via the electric wire insertion hole (10hc) and a conductor part (C) exposed from a covering (22) at the distal end part (20a), the exposed conductor part (C) being curved at a curved part (21aa) and connected to the connection terminal (40); and a conductive voltage detection terminal (30) that has a connection part (31) connected to the exposed conductor part (C) at a position closer to the covering (22) than a curved part (21aa) and a voltage detection part (32) facing the through hole (10hb), and that is provided by branching from a conduction path (R1) between the connection terminal (40) and the conductor part (C).