Terminal system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal systems face difficulties in coupling electrical plug connectors without damage, particularly due to complex and labor-intensive alignment processes, which often result in instability and damage to the electrical and/or signal coupling parts.
Innovation Solution
The terminal system separates vertical and horizontal positioning aids for the connection section of the operator's seat and device terminal, allowing for independent alignment and locking, with clearances that facilitate easier coupling and increased stability, and includes clamping devices to secure the connection against tilting and shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mechanical positioning coupling parts are installed to align operator's seat and device terminal, then coupling without damage is enabled, but the coupling process becomes labor-intensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning coupling is segmented into separate vertical and horizontal positioning aids that are integrated into the electrical connector housing. This segmentation allows each positioning aid to be optimized for its specific directional function while simplifying the overall coupling process through unified integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning aids are merged with the electrical connector housing to form an integrated coupling structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate mechanical positioning components, reducing complexity while maintaining reliable alignment and damage-free coupling.
2Manufacturing precision
If slanted tongues and conical plug pins are used for positioning, then alignment precision is improved, but production complexity and instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex slanted tongues that require precise angling, the invention uses vertically oriented positioning aids with simple geometric shapes (circles, ovals, rectangles) that are easier to manufacture and assemble while achieving the same alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning aids use varying geometric parameters (circular, oval, rectangular cross-sections) to achieve precise alignment in both vertical and horizontal directions. These parameter variations provide sufficient alignment precision without requiring complex slanted or conical geometries.
3Ease of operation
If vertical and horizontal positioning aids are integrated into electrical connector housing, then coupling process is simplified, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning aids are pre-formed as integral parts of the electrical connector housing during the housing manufacturing process. This preliminary action ensures precise positioning without requiring additional assembly steps, as the positioning features are created with the required precision during initial molding or fabrication.
4Stability of the object's composition
If separate vertical and horizontal positioning aids are used, then coupling stability is enhanced, but the number of coupling parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple positioning aids (vertical and horizontal) are merged into a single integrated electrical connector housing structure. This merging maintains the stability benefits of multiple positioning points while reducing the overall part count by eliminating the need for separate mechanical positioning components.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal system including a device terminal (2) and an operator seat (3) which can be connected together and both having energy and/or signal coupling parts (5) and mechanical positioning coupling parts (6) that are coupled to each other by pushing together the seat (3) and terminal (2), the positioning coupling parts (6) including separately formed vertical and horizontal positioning means for orienting the seat (3) with respect to the terminal (2), the vertical positioning means (7) having a clearance in the horizontal direction transversely to the coupling and decoupling direction (24) and the horizontal positioning means (8) having a clearance (13) in the vertical direction, the vertical positioning means (7) and/or the horizontal positioning means (8) each having at least two pairs of coupling pieces (9, 10) transversely spaced apart with respect to a longitudinal center plane through the seat (3) and/or the terminal (2).