Elastically Deformable Locking Member for Fusible Link Tolerance Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional affixing structures for electrical components, such as fusible links, often increase the load on projections, making it difficult to lock the affixed object securely due to tolerances in the relative position between the affixed and affixing objects.
Innovation Solution
An affixed object with an installation surface, an intersection surface, and a locking portion, featuring an elastically deformable connection portion that allows the second arm portion to adjust its position relative to the first arm portion, absorbing tolerances and enabling secure locking by bending to create a gap between the connection and affixing objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional affixing structure is used to affix an electrical component to a battery terminal, then the affixed object can be secured to the affixing object, but the full load is applied to the projection (electrode post), increasing the load on the projection
Solution Approach 1:
The affixing structure is divided into multiple load-bearing components: the installation surface portion, the locking portion, and the locking member. This segmentation distributes the full load across multiple points and structures, preventing concentration of force on a single projection and thereby reducing the load on the projection while maintaining overall structural strength.
2Force
If another component is added to lock the affixed object in the affixing object to reduce load on the projection, then the load on the projection is reduced, but a tolerance may be generated in the relative position between the affixed object and the affixing object, making it difficult to lock them securely
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed with elastic deformability, allowing it to dynamically adjust to position tolerances between the affixed object and affixing object. The locking member can elastically deform to accommodate misalignments while still achieving secure locking, thereby maintaining locking reliability despite the presence of tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member's physical parameters (shape, size, elastic properties) are specifically designed to accommodate position tolerances. By changing the parameters of the locking member to include elastic deformability and appropriate dimensional tolerances, the system can absorb position variations while maintaining reliable locking.
3Reliability
If a rigid locking structure is used to ensure precise positioning, then locking reliability is improved, but the structure cannot accommodate tolerances in relative position between the affixed object and the affixing object
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic, elastically deformable structure. This allows the locking member to adapt to position tolerances through elastic deformation while still providing reliable locking when engaged, thus achieving both locking reliability and tolerance accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the locking member are optimized to balance rigidity and flexibility. The locking member has sufficient rigidity to provide secure locking but incorporates elastic deformability to accommodate position variations, achieving adaptability to tolerances while maintaining locking reliability.
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 effectively absorbs tolerances between the affixed and affixing objects, ensuring secure locking while improving operability by allowing deformation of the connection portion to adjust the relative position and angle, thus reducing the load on projections and enhancing assembly ease.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable connection portion having one end connected to an end portion of the first arm portion, and the other end connected to an end portion of the second arm portion
Data Source
AI summary
A connection portion of a locking member is bent such that the connection portion is made apart from a second upper surface portion as the connection portion is made apart from a first arm portion, and is bent such that the connection portion is made apart from a side surface portion as the connection portion is made apart from a second arm portion. Even when a tolerance is generated in a direction substantially orthogonal to the side surface portion at the time of installing a base body in an installation surface portion of a battery, it is possible to absorb the tolerance by deforming the connection portion, and to lock a locked portion in a lower end edge.