Movable Vehicle Terminal Holder for Safe External Latch Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle electrical connector systems face challenges in securely holding and spacing terminals to prevent short circuits when powering an electronic latch from an external power source, especially when the vehicle battery is insufficient.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle terminal holder assembly that includes a terminal holder accessible through an aperture in the vehicle body structure, which can be disengaged to hold and space terminals securely, preventing short circuits by engaging with a bezel and using snap-fit features, ribs, and a cover to manage wires and jumper cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terminals are held in a fixed position within the vehicle body structure, then electrical connection stability is improved, but accessibility for external power connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal holder is designed to be movable between an engaged position (where terminals are secured for stable electrical connection) and a disengaged position (where terminals are accessible for external power connection). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between stability and accessibility as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the terminal holder function from the vehicle body structure, allowing the holder to be independently moved between engaged and disengaged positions. This segmentation enables the terminals to be both securely held during operation and easily accessible when needed for external powering.
2Reliability
If terminals are held securely in place, then short circuit prevention is improved, but ease of access for jumper cable connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal holder transitions between engaged and disengaged states, providing secure terminal positioning for short circuit prevention during normal operation, while allowing easy access for jumper cable connection when the holder is disengaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal holder can be extracted or removed from the engaged position, allowing external tools like jumper cables to access the terminals without interference from the securing mechanism, thus maintaining both safety and accessibility.
3Shape
If a cover is added to conceal the terminal holder, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but accessibility for terminal connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to be movable or removable, allowing it to conceal the terminal holder for aesthetic purposes during normal operation, while enabling easy access to terminals when the cover is opened or removed for connection purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is separated from the terminal holder, allowing independent operation of the cover for aesthetic concealment while maintaining the ability to access terminals through the cover opening or removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle terminal holder assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an electronic latch configured to hold a closure assembly in a latched position, and a vehicle body structure. The terminal holder assembly further includes a terminal holder that can be accessed through an aperture in the vehicle body structure and moved to a disengaged position relative to the vehicle body structure through the aperture. At least one terminal is held by the terminal holder. The at least one terminal is operatively coupled to the electronic latch when the terminal holder is in the disengaged position.