Fast-fit Grounding Foil for Electronic Gas Lighter Terminals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for grounding surplus high-voltage output terminals in electronic gas lighter devices require additional grounding wires, increasing costs, assembly complexity, and time, especially in restricted spaces, without allowing for modifications to the internal structure of the gas lighter device.
Innovation Solution
A fast-fit electric connecting device using an elastically deformable metallic foil with a U-shaped assembly portion and a cantilevered arm that extends out of the contact carrier stack to contact the cooking range, allowing for grounding of surplus terminals without wires, ensuring secure attachment and preventing accidental removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional grounding wires are used to neutralize surplus high-voltage terminals, then the terminal can be properly grounded, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the grounding function with the existing terminal structure by integrating a grounding contact element directly into the terminal housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate grounding wires and reduces assembly steps while ensuring reliable grounding connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal structure is designed to automatically provide grounding through an integrated contact element that engages with the appliance housing when the terminal is installed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional manual grounding operations.
2Reliability
If additional grounding wires are used to neutralize surplus high-voltage terminals, then the terminal can be properly grounded, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding function is merged into the terminal installation process itself. The integrated grounding contact element is automatically connected when the terminal is mounted, eliminating separate grounding operations and reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding contact element is pre-integrated into the terminal structure during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that grounding is already prepared and will automatically engage during installation, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site grounding wire installation.
3Reliability
If grounding wires are used in restricted spaces, then surplus terminals can be grounded, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the grounding function from the complex wire installation process and integrates it directly into the terminal structure. This extraction eliminates the need to maneuver separate grounding wires through restricted spaces, as the grounding connection is built into the terminal itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated grounding contact element automatically engages with the appliance housing during terminal installation, requiring no separate manual grounding operations in restricted spaces. The system serves itself by design.
4Reliability
If internal modifications to the gas lighter device are made to enable grounding, then grounding can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding function is merged into the existing terminal structure without requiring modifications to the gas lighter device internals. The terminal housing itself is designed to provide the grounding connection, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal structure is designed to serve multiple functions: high-voltage output and grounding. This multi-functionality is achieved through the integrated grounding contact element that engages with the appliance housing, eliminating the need for separate grounding mechanisms.
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
The solution enables reliable, cost-effective, and rapid neutralization of surplus high-voltage terminals by eliminating the need for grounding wires and internal modifications to the gas lighter device, simplifying assembly and reducing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable metallic foil, comprising: a U-shaped assembly portion, adapted to be inserted in a contact carrier stack of an electrically non-conducting casing of the gas lighter device; and a working portion defined by an arm, which extends askew and cantilevered from a first end of the assembly portion
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A fast-fit electric connection to ground device of a surplus high-voltage output terminal of an electronic gas lighter device (3) intended to be fixed in use against an electrically conducting element (4), typically a cooking range for electric household appliances, consisting of an electrically deformable metallic foil (1) including an asymmetric U-shaped assembly portion (10) adapted to be inserted in a contact carried stack (11) of an electrically non-conducting casing (12) of the gas lighter device, and a working portion defined by an arm (14) which extends askew and cantilevered from a first end (15) of the assembly portion and shaped so as to be adapted to cooperate in use in contact against the electrically conducting element (4); the assembly portion being provided with a slot (16) for the mechanical and electrical coupling with a respective blade terminal (2b) accommodated within said contact carried stack of the gas lighter device and a second end (18), opposite the first, adapted to engage in use an internal side wall (21) of the contact carried stack in consequence of an elastic deformation of the foil (1) consequent to the cooperation in reciprocal contact of said cantilevered arm protruding (14) from the working portion with the electrically conducting element (4).