Electrical Pin Interface With Deformable Locking for Reliable Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connection devices for vehicle fuel tank components face issues with compatibility and cooperation between electrical pins and female members, requiring additional intermediary elements that increase manufacturing costs and complicate design due to limited vehicle space.
Innovation Solution
A connection device with deformable electrical pins that include a deformable portion allowing them to be slid into an opening and locked, ensuring compatibility without additional elements, adaptable to different configurations, and compensating for dimensional play.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional intermediary elements are added to ensure connection between electrical pins and female member, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a deformable portion on the electrical pin that acts as a mediator between the rigid pin and the opening. This deformable section allows the pin to adapt to dimensional variations and ensure reliable electrical connection without requiring additional intermediary components, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the electrical pin by adding a deformable portion that can change shape during assembly. This parameter change allows the pin to compensate for dimensional play and ensure proper connection, improving reliability without increasing device complexity
2Reliability
If additional intermediary elements are added to ensure connection between electrical pins and female member, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable portion serves as an integrated intermediary element that is part of the electrical pin itself, eliminating the need for separate intermediary components. This integration maintains connection reliability while reducing manufacturing cost by simplifying the bill of materials and assembly process
3Reliability
If more elements are added to ensure connection, then connection reliability is improved, but space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable portion is integrated into the existing electrical pin structure rather than being a separate element, thus ensuring connection reliability without increasing the overall volume or space consumption of the connection device
4Ease of manufacture
If coupling member and housing are manufactured separately, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable portion changes its physical state from flexible during assembly to rigid after deformation, allowing it to compensate for positioning variations that occur when housing and coupling member are manufactured separately, thus maintaining connection reliability without sacrificing ease of manufacture
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
Ensures reliable electrical connections without additional components, maintaining design flexibility and reducing manufacturing costs by adapting to various configurations and compensating for dimensional variations.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable portion of the at least one electrical pin is deformed and the free portion of the at least one electrical pin is locked in the at least one opening
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a connection device (2) for an electrical component, which device comprises: —a housing (6), —an electrical component (4) accommodated in the housing (6), —at least one electrical pin (12) comprising a portion (14) connected to the electrical component (4) and a free portion (16), and —a connection interface (10) attached to the housing (6), the connection interface (10) comprising at least one opening (22) for enabling the free portion (16) of the at least one electrical pin (12) to pass therethrough and the free portion (16) of the at least one electrical pin (12) to be locked in place in the at least one opening (22), one end of the free portion (16) of the at least one electrical pin (12) extending at a predetermined distance from the at least one opening (22). The at least one electrical pin (12) further comprises a deformable portion (18) located between the free portion (16) and the portion (14) connected to the electrical component (4).