High-Voltage Tab Terminal Plug Assembly for Touch Protection Retention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage connectors in vehicles require a touch protection mechanism that provides a high holding force without extending onto the contact surface, and existing methods like injection molding and heat staking are costly and prone to deformation or damage.

Innovation Solution

A high-voltage tab terminal with a stud-like plug base and complementary plug socket arrangement, allowing for a high holding force without deformation, achieved through a plug assembly method that is cost-effective and secure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If injection molding is used to attach touch protection means to high-voltage contact means, then holding force is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and risk of deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical/thermal bonding process (injection molding) with a purely mechanical connection system consisting of a connection element with connection protrusions that engage with receiving structures in the touch protection means and the contact means, eliminating the need for injection molding while maintaining holding force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is divided into separate components: a connection element distinct from both the touch protection means and the contact means, allowing for simplified manufacturing of each individual component without requiring complex integrated processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Force

If heat staking is used to attach touch protection means to high-voltage contact means, then holding force is improved, but risk of deformation and damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidrisk of deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal bonding process (heat staking) with a purely mechanical connection system using engagement structures between the connection element, touch protection means, and contact means, eliminating thermal effects that could cause deformation or damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection element and touch protection means are designed with self-aligning engagement structures that automatically position themselves during assembly without requiring external heating or forcing, preventing deformation through self-guided mechanical engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4459806A1High-voltage tab contact means with touch protection means and high-voltage connector
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP4459806A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4459806A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4459806A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical high-voltage tab terminal (1) for a high-voltage connector (0), preferably for a vehicle, in particular a vehicle with an electric traction motor, with an electrical high-voltage tab contact means (10) extending in the longitudinal direction (Lr) and an electrically insulating touch protection means (20) provided on a free longitudinal end portion (11) of the high-voltage tab contact means (10), wherein the high-voltage tab contact means (10) has, in its free longitudinal end portion (11), at least one stud-like plug base (110, 150) arranged in the width direction (Br) of the high-voltage tab contact means (10), and the touch protection means (20) has at least one plug socket (210, 250) which is at least partially complementary thereto, the at least one plug base (110, 150) being plugged together with the at least one plug socket (210, 250) .