Flexible Bus Bar Temporary Holding via Elastic Deformation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical connection boxes require complex and costly locking structures to temporarily hold electronic components in place during connection operations, increasing size and cost.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connection box design featuring a flexible plate-like flat electrical connection body that enables elastic deformation, providing a reaction force to temporarily hold the electronic component until a secure connection is made, using a fixing structure with through holes and screw members for physical and electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a locking structure using a claw is provided between the housing and the electronic component to temporarily hold the electronic component, then the electronic component can be held at the accommodation completion position, but the cost and size of the electrical connection box increase due to the complicated shape of the locking structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporary holding capabilityVSAvoidlocking structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the bus bar from rigid to flexible by specifying it has elasticity. This allows the bus bar to deform elastically during insertion, temporarily holding the electronic component without requiring a complex locking structure. The elastic deformation provides the necessary holding force while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bus bar serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection and simultaneously acts as a temporary holding mechanism through its elastic deformation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate locking structure, reducing both complexity and cost while maintaining the temporary holding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a locking structure using a claw is provided to temporarily hold the electronic component, then the electronic component can be held during connection operation, but the cost increases due to the complicated structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporary holding capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the bus bar from rigid to flexible by specifying it has elasticity. This allows the bus bar to deform elastically during insertion, temporarily holding the electronic component without requiring a complex locking structure. The elastic deformation provides the necessary holding force while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bus bar serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection and simultaneously acts as a temporary holding mechanism through its elastic deformation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate locking structure, reducing both complexity and cost while maintaining the temporary holding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows for a simple and cost-effective temporary holding of electronic components until a secure connection is established, reducing the complexity and cost of the locking mechanism while maintaining stability during the connection process.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the respective flat electrical connection bodies of the relay bus bar and the bus bar has such flexibility as to enable elastic deformation in a direction crossing the mating surfaces, applying a reaction force accompanying the elastic deformation to the other flat electrical connection body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11615935B2Electrical connection box and wire harness

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

Flat surfaces out of two flat surfaces of each of flat electrical connection bodies of a relay bus bar and a bus bar of an electronic component are mating surfaces brought into contact with each other by a fixing structure. At least one of the flat electrical connection bodies of the relay bus bar and the bus bar applies a reaction force accompanying the elastic deformation to the other flat electrical connection body, to which the one flat electrical connection body is to be connected, in a state in which the flat electrical connection body of the bus bar at an accommodation completion position in a housing has not been connected to the relay bus bar. The housing includes a receiving portion receiving a force applied to the flat electrical connection body of the bus bar from the flat electrical connection body of the relay bus bar.