Female Terminal With Offset Window for TPA Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current female electrical connectors require different terminal designs for front-type and side-type TPA configurations, increasing manufacturing costs and straining waterproof seals due to orientation features.

Innovation Solution

A single design for female terminals with a box-shaped configuration, including a clamping member, spring element, and offset cutout window, which accommodates both TPA types and distributes strain evenly across the seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different terminal designs are used for front-type and side-type TPA configurations, then each TPA type can be accommodated, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different TPA typesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The female terminal is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate both front-type and side-type TPA configurations. The terminal body includes a receptacle with an opening and a biasing member that can engage with either TPA type, eliminating the need for different terminal designs for different TPA types, thus reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If an orientation feature (protrusion) is provided on the terminal box, then wrong orientation insertion is prevented, but strain is concentrated on the rubber seal in waterproof applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation controlVSAvoidstrain concentration on seal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing member is positioned asymmetrically within the receptacle, creating an inherent orientation feature that prevents wrong orientation insertion. This asymmetric positioning guides the male terminal into the correct orientation during insertion, eliminating the need for protrusions on the terminal box that would concentrate strain on the rubber seal, thus maintaining reliability while reducing harmful strain concentration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Enables cost reduction by unifying terminal designs for both TPA types and prevents strain concentration on waterproof seals, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and seal durability.

Implementation Method 1

The spring element is disposed within the box-shaped cavity and is connected adjacent the top wall and rearward end and projects toward the bottom wall and the forward end

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS7252562B1Electrical female terminal and female electrical connector
Publication Date: 2007.08.07 JST CORP
  • US7252562B1 patent drawing
  • US7252562B1 patent drawing
  • US7252562B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An electrical female terminal has a female terminal body that extends along a central axis and includes a terminal receptacle and a clamping member integrally connected thereto. The terminal receptacle forms a box-shaped configuration to define a generally box-shaped cavity extending through the terminal receptacle. A spring element is disposed within the box-shaped cavity and is connected adjacent a top wall and a rearward end of the terminal receptacle and projects toward a bottom wall and a forward end of the terminal receptacle. The top wall includes a cutout window that is positioned offset from the central axis. An electrical female terminal connector includes a female connector housing and the female terminal.