Female Electric Terminal Beam Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing female electrical terminals lack control over the insertion force required for male terminals, which can lead to inconsistent contact and potential electrical conductivity issues.
Innovation Solution
A female electric terminal assembly with a clamp that biases inwardly extending beams into a channel, maintaining a gap between them, allowing for adjustable force application and improved contact with male terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If beams are biased into engagement with the male blade to maintain strong contact, then contact strength is improved, but the insertion force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring mechanism that provides dynamic biasing force to the beams. The spring allows the beams to exert continuous contact pressure on the male blade for strong electrical contact, while also allowing the beams to flex and yield during the insertion process, thereby controlling the insertion force requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the beam structure by introducing a gap between the beams and using a spring with specific force characteristics. This allows optimization of the contact force parameter while managing the insertion force parameter independently, resolving the contradiction between strong contact and easy insertion.
2Reliability
If a spring feature is added to bias beams into engagement, then contact reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the spring feature directly into the terminal body structure, merging the spring component with the beam support structure. This combination approach maintains contact reliability through consistent biasing force while avoiding the complexity of separate spring assemblies and reduction mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides biasing force for contact reliability, allows for insertion flexibility, and compensates for manufacturing tolerances. This multi-functionality achieves reliability improvement without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
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 provides controlled insertion force and maintains strong electrical contact, allowing for customizable force levels and improved reliability in electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
A clamp is attached to the body. The clamp applies a force to bias the first beam into the channel. The clamp applies a force to bias the second beam into the channel.
Data Source
AI summary
A female electric terminal assembly includes a body, a first beam extending from the body, and a second beam extending from the body. A channel is defined between the first beam and the second beam. A clamp is attached to the body and applies a force to bias the first beam and the second beam into the channel. A gap is maintained between the first beam and the second beam.