Integrated Receptacle Terminal for Wire Retention and Conductivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminals fail to provide adequate wire retention and high current conductivity, particularly in applications requiring robust securement and efficient transfer of current between components like a power source and a wire in a vehicle latch.
Innovation Solution
A terminal with a main body integrally formed with a conductive and malleable wire insulating engaging portion, a wire engaging portion, and a pin engagement portion, featuring an enlarged surface area for secure wire retention and crimping, and configured to ensure robust securement and high conductivity through a single unitary structure of conductive material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal uses a conventional structure with separate components for wire retention and conductivity, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the wire retention strength and current conductivity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wire insulating engaging portion, wire engaging portion, and pin engagement portion into a single integrally formed terminal structure. This merging of previously separate components into one unitary structure simultaneously achieves improved wire retention strength through the enlarged insulating engaging portion and maintains high current conductivity through the continuous conductive path, while the integrated design actually simplifies manufacturing by reducing assembly steps.
2Strength
If the terminal uses a smaller surface area for wire engagement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the wire securement robustness and crimping effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal applies local quality by creating an enlarged wire insulating engaging portion with increased surface area specifically at the wire engagement location, while maintaining the overall compact structure of the terminal body. This localized enlargement provides robust wire securement and effective crimping area without significantly increasing the total device size or complexity, as the expansion is concentrated only where needed for wire retention.
3Reliability
If the terminal uses discontinuous conductive paths, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the current conductivity between components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conductive material pathways into a continuous, uninterrupted structure within the integrally formed terminal. The unitary construction ensures that current can flow seamlessly from the wire engaging portion through the main body to the pin engagement portion without encountering joints or connections that would increase resistance. This integrated conductive path achieves high current conductivity while the entire structure can be fabricated in one piece using stamping or extrusion processes, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 terminal achieves robust wire securement and enhanced current conductivity by providing a larger surface area for crimping and secure engagement, ensuring reliable connection and preventing disengagement between the pin and terminal, thus improving the performance in vehicle latch applications.
Implementation Method 1
the wire insulating engaging portion and the wire engaging portion are formed from a material that is both conductive and malleable so that the wire insulating engaging portion and the wire engaging portion can be crimped about a wire inserted therein
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal for use with a vehicle latch, including: a main body portion that is integrally formed with a wire insulating engaging portion, a wire engaging portion and a pin engagement portion, wherein the wire insulating engaging portion has an enlarged surface area that extends laterally from the main body portion.