Female Terminal Contact Layout for Visible Multi-Point Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing female terminals with multiple arm springs arranged in parallel directions face challenges in managing the attachment state due to overlapping contact points, making it difficult to check the positions of these points, especially at the back side in the insertion direction.

Innovation Solution

The female terminal design includes a configuration where arm springs are arranged in parallel with the insertion direction and perpendicular to the facing direction of the side walls, with contact points shifted in the perpendicular direction, allowing easy checking and management of attachment states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple arm springs are arranged in parallel directions to increase contact points, then the number of contact points increases, but the terminal is enlarged in the parallel direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of contact pointsVSAvoidterminal size in parallel direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The arm springs are arranged along the insertion direction (depth direction) instead of the parallel direction (width direction), utilizing a different spatial dimension to achieve the same goal of increasing contact points without enlarging the terminal in the parallel direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple arm springs are lined up along the insertion direction to increase contact points, then the number of contact points increases, but the positions of contact points overlap making it difficult to check attachment state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of contact pointsVSAvoidvisibility of contact point positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The contact points are positioned at different locations in the perpendicular direction (height direction) rather than at the same position, creating local differentiation that allows each contact point to be individually visible and detectable from the front side

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This design enables effective management of the attachment state by ensuring that contact points on arm springs can be easily checked, maintaining a stable electrical connection without enlarging the terminal in the parallel direction.

Implementation Method 1

a spring plate member including a plurality of arm springs that are urged to contact the inserted plate-like male terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260074456A1Female terminal, connector, terminal-attached electric wire, connector-attached electric wire, and wire harness

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

In a female terminal 21, a plurality of arm springs 31 contacting a male terminal 11 inserted into an insertion space S are located to be in parallel with a depth direction D, in which the male terminal 11 is inserted into the insertion space S. The plurality of arm springs 31 are arranged in a height direction H perpendicular to a width direction W, in which side walls 213 face each other, and to the depth direction D, and also arranged in the depth direction D. The arm springs 31 are each provided with a contact point 34 protruding to so as to contact the male terminal 11, and the contact points 34 on the plurality of arm springs 31 arranged in the depth direction D are located as being shifted from each other in the height direction H.