Floating Terminal Base for EV Power Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicle power supply systems face challenges in smoothly mounting battery packs due to positional discrepancies between electrical connection terminals, leading to poor contact conditions and reduced service life, and oblique mounting can cause terminal contact issues with the battery case.

Innovation Solution

A terminal base with a floating state support system for male-side terminals, featuring guides and beveled corners to absorb positional discrepancies and prevent terminal contact with the insulator block, allowing for easy connection and secure mounting without screws or soldering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the battery pack is mounted by bringing it closer from obliquely above, then the mounting operation can be performed, but a corner of the electrical terminal may contact the edge of the opening, hampering smooth mounting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting operation smoothnessVSAvoidterminal contact with opening edge
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing guide structures (guide ribs and guide grooves) that pre-align the battery pack with the terminal base before the actual connection occurs. The guide ribs on the terminal base extend into guide grooves on the battery pack, ensuring proper positioning is established in advance, preventing corner contact with the opening edge during mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the battery pack is mounted with positional discrepancy between terminals, then connection can be achieved through terminal deformation, but the contact condition becomes poor and service life is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection achievementVSAvoidcontact condition and service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the structural parameters of the terminal base and battery pack interfaces. The guide ribs and guide grooves are designed with specific dimensions and positions that accommodate positional discrepancies without requiring terminal deformation. This structural parameter adjustment ensures reliable contact conditions while maintaining service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed mounting structure is used for terminals, then structural stability is achieved, but positional discrepancies cannot be absorbed and contact quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal structure stabilityVSAvoidterminal positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism through the guide ribs and guide grooves that mediate between the fixed structural components and the positional discrepancies. These guide structures act as intermediaries that transmit and accommodate positioning variations while maintaining stable structural connection, ensuring both stability and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2626233B1Terminal base of power supply device for electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2626233B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2626233B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2626233B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal base of a power supply device for an electric vehicle has electrical connection terminals on the vehicle body which can be easily connected to electrical connection terminals on a battery pack. The terminal base 29 has a base 292 with an opening 291 for accepting an insulator board 64 on which male-side terminals 63 are held. The opening 291 is provided with a first lower guide 301 and a first upper guide 300, and with a second lower guide 299 and a second upper guide 298. A first edge of the insulator board 64 is clamped by the first lower guide 301 and the first upper guide 300 from the lower and upper sides. A second edge opposed to the first edge of the insulator board 64 is clamped by the second lower guide 299 and the second upper guide 298 from the lower and upper sides. In this manner, the insulator board 64 is supported in a floating state. Preferably, the tip of each male-side terminal 63 is bevelled for preventing the tip from being snagged when connecting the male-side terminals to the female-side terminals.