Junction Box Eyelet Terminal Cover Retention System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric junction box assemblies face challenges in accessing the eyelet terminal for maintenance due to the eyelet terminal cover being tethered to the top cover, which can lead to accidental damage and obstruction during maintenance, especially in limited spaces like automotive vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A retaining system with a locking structure on the top cover and a tether secured to the eyelet terminal cover, allowing complete disengagement of the cover and providing redundancy to ensure the tether remains functional, facilitating easy access and maintenance while maintaining protection of the electric components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the eyelet terminal cover is tethered to the top cover, then the cover is retained and protected, but the cover cannot be completely disengaged for maintenance and may be subjected to inadvertent loads causing the tether to break
Solution Approach 1:
The tether is divided into multiple separate strands instead of a single continuous tether. This segmentation allows the cover to be completely disengaged from the top cover for maintenance while maintaining retention capability. If one strand breaks or is detached, the other strands continue to provide retention, ensuring the cover remains attached to the top cover during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The redundant strand structure provides a backup retention mechanism before any failure occurs. By having multiple strands, the system anticipates potential breakage or detachment of individual strands and compensates for it in advance, ensuring continuous retention functionality even if one strand fails.
2Reliability
If the eyelet terminal cover remains tethered to the top cover, then the cover is retained, but it gets in the way during maintenance and cannot be completely removed
Solution Approach 1:
The tether system is segmented into multiple independent strands, allowing the cover to be fully detached from the top cover during maintenance while still providing retention when needed. The segmented structure enables complete removal for repair access while maintaining the ability to retain the cover during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether system transitions from a static continuous tether to a dynamic multi-strand system that can adapt between retention and complete disengagement states. This dynamic configuration allows the cover to be fully removed for maintenance while automatically providing retention when the strands are engaged.
3Device complexity
If a single tether is used to secure the eyelet terminal cover, then the structure is simple, but there is no redundancy to ensure the tether remains functional
Solution Approach 1:
The single tether is segmented into multiple separate strands, each capable of independently retaining the cover. This segmentation increases reliability through redundancy while maintaining relatively simple construction. Each strand can function independently, so if one fails, the others continue to provide retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-strand configuration provides built-in redundancy that cushions against failure. By having multiple strands before any failure can occur, the system ensures continuous retention functionality even if one strand breaks or becomes detached, eliminating the need for complex backup systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A junction box assembly and a retaining system configured to facilitate access to the eyelet terminal and the bottom housing assembly is provided. The junction box assembly includes a top cover removably attached to the bottom housing assembly. The bottom housing assembly includes an eyelet terminal for receiving an electric connection. An eyelet terminal cover covers the eyelet terminal. The retaining system is configured to removably retain the eyelet terminal cover to the top cover. The retaining system includes a locking structure disposed on the top cover. A key is configured to releasably engage the locking structure. A tether may be secured to the key on a first end and the eyelet terminal cover on a second end so as to allow the eyelet terminal cover to be coupled to the top cover or the eyelet terminal cover to be removed from the top cover.