Shield Terminal Connecting Structure Using Asymmetric Overlap
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connecting structures of shield terminals require different shapes and sizes, leading to component duplication and space inefficiency when trying to secure two terminals with a single bolt.
Innovation Solution
The design involves two shield terminals with a ring-shaped portion and a projecting piece, where one terminal is inverted 180 degrees relative to the other, allowing their projecting pieces to overlap and be secured by a single bolt, enabling the use of identical components and reducing space occupancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two shield terminals are connected with plate portions overlapped up and down, then a single bolt can be inserted into both bolt-insertion holes, but the shield terminals require different shapes and sizes, preventing component sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The shield terminal is designed with asymmetric structure where the plate portion and projecting piece are positioned such that when two identical terminals are connected with plate portions overlapped, the bolt-insertion holes align vertically. This asymmetric arrangement of components on the terminal body enables symmetric connection behavior when two terminals are joined, allowing a single bolt to secure both terminals while maintaining component standardization.
2Device complexity
If shield terminals are arranged with plate portions projected in the same direction, then component sharing becomes possible, but the space occupied increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure transitions from horizontal arrangement to vertical arrangement by extending the plate portion and positioning the bolt-insertion hole in the projecting piece. When two shield terminals are connected, their plate portions are overlapped in the vertical direction rather than arranged horizontally, allowing the bolt to pass through both terminals vertically. This dimensional change reduces the horizontal space occupied while enabling identical terminals to be connected with a single bolt.
3Volume of moving object
If different shaped shield terminals are used to achieve compact arrangement, then space efficiency improves, but the number of components and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shield terminal is designed with universal characteristics where a single terminal type can be used for both left and right connections. The plate portion and projecting piece are configured to allow two identical terminals to be connected in series with their plate portions overlapped and bolt-insertion holes aligned. This universal design eliminates the need for different shaped terminals for different positions, reducing component variety and manufacturing cost while achieving compact vertical arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting structure of shield terminals configured to tighten and connect a pair of shield terminals with a single bolt simultaneously in a smaller space, the structure includes: two shield terminals each having a circular portion into which a braided wire of a shield electric wire is inserted and connected, a plate portion extended from the ring-shaped portion along the shield electric wire, and a projecting piece extended perpendicular to the plate portion from a tip of the plate portion and having a bolt-insertion hole at the center thereof, wherein one wall of the projecting piece is positioned on an extension of a center line (m) of the ring-shaped portion, wherein one shield terminal is inverted 180 degree, and wherein the one wall of the projecting piece of the one shield terminal is overlapped with and abuts on the one wall of the projecting piece of the other shield terminal.