Female Connector Terminal Plate Spring Anti-Sliding Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing female connector terminals experience sliding movement and increased contact resistance due to vibrations and thermal changes, leading to potential damage from excessive heat and metal oxide formation on the conductive surface of male connector terminals in automotive connectors.
Innovation Solution
A female connector terminal design featuring a hollow conductor with a rectangular engagement portion, protrusions, and a plate spring with abutment portions and fins that sandwich the male connector terminal, preventing sliding and reducing contact resistance by aligning and stabilizing the contact surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a conventional elastic member is used to support the male connector terminal, then insertion/disengagement durability is improved, but sliding movement occurs causing increased contact resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring extends in the width direction (lateral dimension) rather than only in the insertion direction, creating abutment portions that contact both side surfaces of the male connector terminal. This dimensional change prevents sliding movement by providing bilateral constraint, thereby reducing contact resistance while maintaining durability.
2Reliability
If a plate spring with abutment portions is used to suppress sliding movement, then contact resistance is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides elastic support for the male connector terminal, prevents sliding movement through lateral abutment portions, and maintains electrical contact. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate components, thereby suppressing sliding-induced contact resistance without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If the male connector terminal is made thicker for high-voltage applications, then current carrying capacity is improved, but insertion load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring applies elastic force locally at the abutment portions contacting the side surfaces of the male connector terminal. This localized support allows the thicker, more rigid terminal to be inserted with reduced load, as the plate spring provides targeted assistance rather than requiring the entire connector structure to accommodate the increased thickness.
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 effectively suppresses sliding movement and reduces contact resistance, preventing heat generation and damage, while maintaining a predetermined clearance for reduced insertion load and improved alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a plate spring disposed at the conductor engagement portion to face the protrusion so that the inserted male connector terminal can be sandwiched between the plate spring and the protrusion
Implementation Method 2
the plate spring includes an abutment portion configured into a predetermined shape by bending a plate member and brought into abutment with both sides of a contact surface of the male connector terminal which contact the plate spring, thereby suppressing a slide movement of the male connector terminal relative to the female connector terminal
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of fins aligned in a direction normal to an insertion direction of the male connector terminal and supporting the contact surface of the male connector terminal
Implementation Method 4
The conductive surface of the male connector terminal 52 is a surface on which a metal plating (e.g., tinning) is applied
Implementation Method 5
the substrate of the female connector holding the female connector terminal is made of a synthetic resin material having appropriate insulation properties
Data Source
AI summary
A female connector terminal into which a rectangular male connector terminal is to be inserted includes a hollow conductor having a rectangular engagement portion for inserting the male connector terminal; a protrusion arranged at the engagement portion of the conductor and brought into contact with the male connector terminal; and a plate spring arranged at the conductor engagement portion to face the protrusion so as to sandwich the male connector terminal together with the protrusion. The plate spring has an abutment portion formed by bending a plate member and is brought into abutment with both sides of the male connector terminal contact surface which is brought into contact with the plate spring.