Gas Sensor Metal Terminal Member Neck Rigidity Design

The patent applies local quality by creating two distinct neck portions with different rigidity characteristics. The first neck portion has higher rigidity to provide structural support during insertion, while the second neck portion has lower rigidity to act as a shock-absorbing element that protects the lead wire from excessive force during misalignment. This localized differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between needing strength for insertion and reliability for connection protection.

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-structuring the metal terminal member with integrated guiding features and positioning structures that guide the lead wire into the correct position during insertion. The guiding grooves and positioning protrusions are built into the terminal member structure itself, ensuring that the lead wire is properly aligned and secured before electrical connection is established, thus maintaining both ease of insertion and electrical reliability.

The patent applies asymmetry by designing the two-piece metal terminal member with asymmetric coupling features including a protrusion on one piece and a corresponding recess on the other. This asymmetric design creates a self-aligning mechanism where the protrusion fits into the recess in only one correct orientation, automatically guiding proper alignment during assembly and eliminating the need for high-precision manual alignment while maintaining secure electrical connection.