Electrical Connection Component Restriction Portion Conductor Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connection components face deformation issues when conductors are press-fitted into housings due to improper directional force application, leading to positional displacement and reduced workability.

Innovation Solution

The electrical connection component incorporates a housing with a press-fitted portion and a restriction portion, where the restriction portion, in the form of ribs, prevents conductor displacement in directions other than the press-fitting direction from the start to completion of press-fitting, ensuring the conductor remains aligned and secure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the bus bar is press-fitted into the housing without additional restriction structures, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the conductor may deform or bend during press-fitting due to improper directional force application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepress-fitting process simplicityVSAvoidconductor positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into distinct functional regions: the press-fitted portion for receiving the conductor and the restriction portion for preventing displacement. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The restriction portion is pre-formed as an integral part of the housing structure before the press-fitting operation. This preliminary action ensures that the conductor is automatically constrained in the correct position during press-fitting, preventing deformation without requiring additional manufacturing steps or complex tooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If a restriction portion is added to the housing to prevent conductor displacement, then the conductor positioning accuracy is improved, but the housing structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor positioning accuracyVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The restriction portion is merged with the housing as an integral structure rather than a separate component. This combining approach maintains conductor positioning accuracy while avoiding the complexity of additional parts, fasteners, or assembly steps. The restriction features are formed directly during housing manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides the press-fitted portion for conductor insertion, the restriction portion for displacement prevention, and overall structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, maintaining simplicity while achieving precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the conductor is press-fitted without restriction, then the attachment process is fast, but the conductor may bend or displace from its original position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment speedVSAvoidconductor alignment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The restriction portion is pre-formed in the housing to automatically guide and constrain the conductor during press-fitting. This preliminary preparation ensures that the conductor maintains proper alignment throughout the attachment process, preventing bending or displacement without requiring additional alignment steps or slowing down the attachment speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The restriction portion acts as an intermediary structure between the press-fitted portion and the conductor. It mediates the press-fitting process by providing continuous lateral support to the conductor, ensuring stable alignment while allowing the press-fitting operation to proceed quickly without interruption for alignment adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11616318B2Electrical connection component
Publication Date: 2023.03.28 YAZAKI CORP
  • US11616318B2 patent drawing
  • US11616318B2 patent drawing
  • US11616318B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electrical connection component includes a conductor, and a housing into which the conductor is press-fitted. The housing includes a press-fitted portion having a hollow shape and into which the conductor is press-fitted in a press-fitting direction, and a restriction portion provided at a position different from a position of the press-fitted portion, the restriction portion restricting at least a part of the conductor from being displaced in a direction different from the press-fitting direction from a time point when press-fitting of the conductor into the press-fitted portion is started to a time point when the press-fitting is completed.