Perpendicular Receptacle Terminal for Compact Junction Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional junction boxes face challenges with bulky terminals that require high mating forces, specific orientation requirements, and complex component positioning, leading to increased size and assembly time due to the use of wire harnesses and traditional terminals.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle terminal design featuring a main box with a deflectable spring contact and a transverse box, allowing for perpendicular orientation of blade terminals, reducing the need for complex routing and minimizing space occupation, while providing a robust electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional terminals are used to electrically connect components in a junction box, then electrical connection is achieved, but the terminals are bulky and increase the overall size of the junction box
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is divided into two separate boxes: a main box containing the deflectable spring contact and a transverse box containing the stationary contact. This segmentation allows each box to be optimized independently, reducing the overall volume while maintaining connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal design introduces a transverse dimension by orienting the transverse box perpendicular to the main box. This dimensional change allows blade terminals to be received in perpendicular orientations, reducing the need for complex routing and minimizing space occupation within the junction box.
2Reliability
If conventional terminals with high mating forces are used, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but lubrication is required to lower mating forces and improve performance
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal incorporates a deflectable spring contact that provides dynamic mating capability. The spring contact can deflect to accommodate variations in blade terminal positioning and orientation, enabling reliable electrical connection without requiring precise alignment or lubrication, thereby simplifying the assembly process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional terminals with specific mating requirements are used, then electrical connection is achieved, but the size or shape of connected components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal design with perpendicular blade slot orientations enables universal compatibility with blade terminals of various sizes and shapes. The deflectable spring contact further enhances adaptability by accommodating different mating positions and orientations, allowing the same terminal design to connect diverse components without modification.
4Volume of moving object
If conventional terminals requiring parallel blade terminal orientation are used, then electrical connection is achieved, but complex routing or positioning of components is required, occupying additional space
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal design introduces perpendicular orientations for blade slots in the transverse box relative to the main box. This dimensional change allows blade terminals to be routed and positioned in perpendicular directions rather than requiring parallel alignment, simplifying component routing and reducing the space needed for wiring harnesses and positioning structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The receptacle terminal enables quick and simple connections, reduces assembly time, and eliminates the need for wired connections, resulting in a more compact and efficient electrical connection system for junction boxes.
Implementation Method 1
The main box has a deflectable spring contact configured to engage the first blade terminal when received in the main blade slot
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A receptacle terminal (110) includes a main box (200) and a transverse box (300). The main box has a front (210), a rear (212), sides and ends (218, 220) extending between the front and the rear. The main box has a main blade slot (206) open at the rear configured to receive a first blade terminal along a main plane (208). The main box has a deflectable spring contact (204) configured to engage the first blade terminal when received in the main blade slot. The transverse box has a front (310), a rear (312), sides (314, 316) and ends (318, 320) extending between the front and the rear. The transverse box has a transverse blade slot (306) open at the front configured to receive a second blade terminal along a transverse plane (308). The transverse box is oriented relative to the main box such that the transverse plane is perpendicular to the main plane.