Electric Connection Box Block Positioning for Vibration Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric connection boxes in vehicles face instability and disengagement issues due to vibrations, leading to insecure electrical connections, particularly because of positional errors in rib formations on the component mounting block and insertion permission frame, which affect the precision and stability of the assembly.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a positioning system with protrusions and recesses on the component mounting block and insertion permission frame, along with elastic support means and pull-out direction engagement mechanisms, ensures stable engagement and secure connection by suppressing perpendicular clearances and maintaining engagement even during rotation or vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ribs are formed on the component mounting block and insertion permission frame for positioning, then the positioning precision is improved, but the manufacturing errors accumulate and reduce the overall positioning accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidrib formation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is divided into two independent parts: a positioning protrusion on the component mounting block and a positioning recess on the insertion permission frame. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured separately with standard tolerances, and the pairing ensures precise positioning without accumulating errors from multiple ribs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning protrusion acts as an intermediary element that bridges the component mounting block and insertion permission frame. This single intermediary feature eliminates the need for multiple ribs, preventing error accumulation while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple ribs are positioned at separate locations to prevent shifting, then the positioning stability is improved, but the error accumulation increases and reduces assembly precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidassembly precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is extracted from the multiple-rib structure and concentrated into a single protrusion-recess pairing. This eliminates the harmful effect of error accumulation from multiple separate ribs while maintaining the stability needed to prevent shifting during insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the component mounting block is designed to be easily inserted, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connection stability during vibration deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning protrusion and recess are designed with asymmetric geometries that guide insertion in the correct direction while preventing removal or shifting. The protrusion fits into the recess in one orientation, ensuring easy proper insertion while maintaining stable connection during vibration through the interlocking geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS9466922B2Electric component connection unit and electric connection box

Publication Date: 2016.10.11 FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

Block positioning means is provided at an insertion permission frame and a component mounting block, the block positioning means being for positioning the component mounting block with respect to an insertion permission section in a crossing direction crossing an insertion direction in which the component mounting block to which an electric component is attachable is inserted into the insertion permission section.