Tool-Free Positive Lock Terminal Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proper termination of ring tongue terminal lugs to receptacle terminals often requires additional tooling, which can be difficult in confined or hard-to-access spaces.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with terminal receiving cavities, receptacle terminals with spring arms and latching projections, and a release mechanism that allows for tool-free insertion and removal of ring tongue terminals, enabling secure electrical engagement without the need for additional tooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional termination methods are used for ring tongue terminal lugs, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but additional tooling is required which is difficult to use in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The connector enables self-service termination where the ring tongue terminal lug is inserted and automatically retained by the receptacle terminal's latching mechanism without requiring external tools. The resilient spring arm and latching projection work together to automatically secure the terminal lug in place upon insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the termination function from the external tooling domain and integrates it into the connector itself. The receptacle terminal incorporates the retention mechanism directly, eliminating the need for separate termination tools and making the process tool-free.
2Reliability
If additional tooling is used for termination, then secure connection is achieved, but difficulty in confined spaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector performs the termination function itself through its integrated latching mechanism, requiring no external tools that would be difficult to maneuver in confined spaces. The self-service nature of the insertion process allows easy access even in tight locations.
Solution Approach 2:
By removing the external tooling requirement and embedding the retention function within the connector, the invention eliminates the accessibility problem associated with using tools in confined spaces while maintaining connection reliability.
3Ease of operation
If tool-free termination is implemented, then ease of operation in confined spaces is improved, but retention mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the insertion motion itself. As the ring tongue terminal lug is inserted, the resilient spring arm is deflected and the latching projection automatically engages with the terminal lug, creating retention without requiring additional components or complex mechanisms.
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
Facilitates easy and secure electrical connections between ring tongue terminals and substrates in various applications, including those with limited access, by providing a tool-free termination method that ensures reliable retention and release of the terminals.
Implementation Method 1
The spring arm is resilient and the latching projection has a locking shoulder. The spring arm and latching projection cooperate with the ring tongue terminal to retain the terminal in electrical engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for providing an electrical connection between at least one terminating mating terminal to a substrate. The connector includes a housing having at least one terminal receiving cavity. A receptacle terminal is positioned in the at least one terminal receiving cavity. The receptacle terminal has a latching projection which cooperates with the at least one mating terminal to retain the at least one mating terminal in electrical engagement with the receptacle terminal when the at least one mating terminal is fully inserted in the at least one terminal receiving cavity. A release mechanism is provided in the housing in line with the latching projection of the receptacle terminal, the release mechanism is configured to cooperate with the receptacle terminal to depress the latching projection when the at least one mating terminal is to be removed from the at least one terminal receiving cavity.