Electric Connection Terminal With Segmented Elastic Piece Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric connection terminals experience reduced contact pressure when a mating terminal comes into contact with a second junction portion after initial contact, leading to compromised foreign matter removal effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The electric connection terminal design includes first and second junction portions with a movable and fixed housing configuration, where the second junction portion is displaced relative to the first upon elastic deformation, maintaining contact pressure and ensuring effective foreign matter removal by the first junction portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the first and second elastic piece portions obliquely extend toward the mating terminals from a terminal main body, then the terminal structure is compact and easy to manufacture, but when one elastic piece portion is elastically deformed, the other is displaced in the same direction, reducing contact pressure of the first contact portion
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic piece portion is divided into two separate portions (first elastic piece portion and second elastic piece portion) that are independently configured. Each portion has its own fulcrum position and deformation characteristics, allowing them to function independently rather than as a single coupled structure. This segmentation enables the first contact portion to maintain contact pressure even when the second contact portion is deformed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the terminal are given different functional properties. The first elastic piece portion is designed with specific elastic characteristics and fulcrum positioning to maintain contact pressure, while the second elastic piece portion is designed separately. Each portion has optimized local geometry (different extension angles, different fulcrum positions) to achieve its specific function without interfering with the other portion's performance.
2Reliability
If the first contact portion comes into contact with the mating terminal to remove foreign matter, then foreign matter removal is effective, but contact pressure is reduced when the second contact portion subsequently contacts the mating terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The first contact portion is positioned to make contact with the mating terminal before the second contact portion during insertion. This preliminary contact allows the first contact portion to remove foreign matter (such as trash or dirt) from the mating terminal surface before the second contact portion makes contact, ensuring that the second contact portion establishes reliable electrical connection without being compromised by foreign matter.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal structure incorporates dynamic elastic deformation characteristics where the first and second elastic piece portions can deform independently based on insertion force and timing. The elastic portions are designed to accommodate sequential contact - the first portion deforms initially to enable foreign matter removal, then the system transitions to the second portion making contact, with each portion's deformation being dynamically adjusted based on the insertion stage.
3Device complexity
If the elastic piece portion is designed with a single fulcrum position, then the structure is simple, but the second junction portion cannot be displaced relatively to maintain contact pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic piece portion is segmented into two distinct portions with two separate fulcrum positions (first fulcrum position and second fulcrum position). This segmentation allows each portion to rotate and deform independently around its own fulcrum, enabling the second junction portion to be displaced relative to the first junction portion while maintaining contact pressure. The dual-fulcrum design is more complex than a single fulcrum but enables the required relative displacement function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures that the contact pressure of the first junction portion is maintained even when the second junction portion comes into contact, effectively removing foreign matter without reducing the initial contact pressure.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic piece portion formed between the contact portion and the first fixed piece portion... upon the first junction portion being pressed in the opposite direction of a direction of contact with the mating terminal, the second junction portion is displaced relatively in the direction of contact with the mating terminal as compared to the first junction portion by the elastic piece portion being elastically deformed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
When a second junction portion(13a-2) of a terminal(13) is pressed in the opposite direction of the direction of contact with a mating terminal(22), a first junction portion(13a-1) attempts to be displaced relatively in the direction of contact with the mating terminal(22) as compared to the second junction portion(13a-2) while in a of state contact with the mating terminal(22), and accordingly, contact pressure of the first junction portion(13a-1) as to the mating terminal(22) increases. Thus, after the mating terminal(22) comes into contact with the first junction portion(13a-1), contact pressure of the first junction portion(13a-1) as to the mating terminal(22) is not reduced even when the mating terminal(22) comes into contact with the second junction portion(13a-2).