Female Terminal Continuity Test Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuity test devices for female terminals with elastic contact pieces face issues of reduced spring load and adhesion of foreign substances, and the complexity of injecting conductive gel complicates the structure of the test device.
Innovation Solution
A female terminal design with protruded continuity test contacts on the inner surfaces of the cylindrical part, closer to the entrance side than the elastic contact piece, allows for continuity testing without contacting the elastic contact piece, and a detection pin to ensure proper insertion, eliminating the need for a special structure in the test device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the continuity test pin is brought into contact with the elastic contact piece, then the continuity test can be performed, but the spring load of the elastic contact piece is reduced and foreign substances adhere to the contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the contact testing function into two separate contact structures: the elastic contact piece for normal electrical connection and the protruded continuity test contacts for testing. This segmentation allows the continuity test to be performed without involving the elastic contact piece, thus preserving its spring load and preventing foreign substance adhesion while maintaining test accuracy.
2Strength
If conductive gel is injected from the continuity test pin to perform continuity test, then the elastic contact piece is protected from damage, but the structure of the continuity test device becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the continuity testing function from the main elastic contact piece by providing separate protruded continuity test contacts. This eliminates the need for complex conductive gel injection mechanisms while still protecting the elastic contact piece from damage during testing, as the test pin contacts only the protruded test contacts.
3Reliability
If the continuity test pin contacts the elastic contact piece, then the test can be performed, but adhesion of foreign substances occurs on the contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the contact surfaces into functional zones: the elastic contact piece for normal operation and the protruded continuity test contacts for testing. This separation ensures that foreign substances adhering during testing do not contaminate the main contact interface, maintaining both test capability and contact cleanliness.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a female terminal and a continuity test device. The female terminal has a pair of continuity test contacts protruded so as to be brought into contact with a continuity test pin in a position closer to the entrance side of a cylindrical part where the connection portion is inserted, in the direction of insertion of a connection portion, than a contact, with the connection portion, of an elastic contact piece provided on an inner surface of the cylindrical part. The female terminal sandwiches the connection portion between the elastic contact piece and an inner surface facing another inner surface of the cylindrical part. The pair of continuity test contacts are protruded on inner surfaces of the cylindrical part facing in the direction orthogonal to the direction of sandwiching of the connection portion by the elastic contact piece.