Vehicle Ground Joint Connector Crank Bracket Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground joint connectors for vehicles face issues with bending strength at the joint between the male terminal portion and the bracket, particularly under vibration, which can lead to breakage due to the bending forces acting on the longer leg when the connector is mounted at a distance from the grounding portion.
Innovation Solution
The joint connector features a bracket with a crank shape and reinforcing beads, such as flanges and ribs, that are press-fit into the housing to increase the bending strength by absorbing vibration-related bending forces at the joint between the bracket and the male terminal portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the bracket leg is extended to increase the distance between the housing and grounding portion, then the mounting flexibility is improved, but the bending strength at the joint decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding reinforcing beads specifically at the joint portion between the male terminal portion and the bracket, rather than uniformly thickening the entire bracket. This localized reinforcement increases bending strength at the critical joint area while maintaining the extended leg length and mounting flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining the bracket base material with reinforcing beads that have different mechanical properties. The reinforcing beads act as a composite enhancement, providing localized strength improvement at the joint while the rest of the bracket maintains its original material properties and flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bracket is bent into L-shape to extend the mounting portion, then the mounting position adjustment is improved, but the bending strength at the joint decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating reinforcement at the joint portion through reinforcing beads, rather than uniformly increasing the thickness of the entire L-shaped bracket. This allows the bracket to maintain its L-shape configuration for mounting position adjustment while locally strengthening the vulnerable joint area.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the housing is positioned distant from the grounding portion, then the arrangement space flexibility is improved, but the bending force on the bracket increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding reinforcing beads specifically at the joint portion where bending forces are concentrated, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire bracket structure. This localized reinforcement counteracts the increased bending forces resulting from the extended distance between the housing and grounding portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A ground joint connector (JC) has a housing (20) with cavities (21) for receiving female terminals (11). The ground joint connector (JC) also has a joint terminal (50) including a male terminal portion (51) with male terminals (55) to be accommodated in the respective cavities (21). A bracket (52) is connected with the male terminal portion (51) and includes a mounting portion (65) to be mounted on a grounding portion. The bracket (52) extends in an extending direction of the cavities (21) from the rear edge of the male terminal portion (51) and then is bent twice to define a crank shape. Reinforcing flanges (73) and ribs (75) are formed on a flat portion at a base end side of the bracket (52). The housing (20) includes receiving portions (46, 47) for tightly holding back ends of the flanges (73) and the ribs (75).