Single-Board Connector Terminal for Vibration-Stable Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage connectors with complex terminal structures face high production costs and manufacturing difficulties, and suffer from poor electrical contact due to vibration-induced changes in the gap between terminal boards.

Innovation Solution

A terminal design featuring a single terminal board with a locking member and elastic contact member, which simplifies the structure, reduces costs, and maintains reliable electrical contact even in vibration environments through the use of integral stamped parts and elastic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a terminal body with two terminal boards is used, then the locking function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionVSAvoidterminal structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two terminal boards into a single terminal board structure. The locking member is integrated directly onto the single terminal board, eliminating the need for a separate second terminal board while maintaining the locking function through the cooperative interaction between the locking member's locking block and the mating terminal's locking groove.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single terminal board is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the electrical connection function through the elastic contact member and the locking function through the integrated locking member. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate terminal boards that would otherwise be required for these distinct functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a terminal body with two terminal boards is used, then the locking function is achieved, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the locking member and elastic contact member onto a single terminal board, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring the locking function is maintained through the designed interaction between components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplified terminal design reduces production costs and ensures reliable electrical contact in vibration environments by using a single terminal board with a locking member and elastic contact member, enhancing stability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic contact member which is installed on the top surface of the terminal board and faces the top plate of the locking member. The elastic contact member is used for electrical contact with a mating terminal inserted between the elastic contact member and the locking member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4401248A1Terminal, connector and connector assembly
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 TYCO ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY (SIP) CO LTD
  • EP4401248A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4401248A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4401248A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a terminal, a connector and a connector assembly. The terminal comprises of: a single terminal board (1) having a top surface (la) and a bottom surface (lb) opposite to each other in its thickness direction (Z); a locking member (2) fixed to the terminal board (1) and comprising a top plate (21) located above the top surface (la) of the terminal board (1); and an elastic contact member (3) which is installed on the top surface (la) of the terminal board (1) and faces the top plate (21) of the locking member (2). The elastic contact member (3) is used for electrical contact with a mating terminal (21) inserted between the elastic contact member (3) and the locking member (2) to achieve electrical connection between the terminal and the mating terminal. In the present invention, the terminal body of the terminal only includes a single terminal board, thus simplifying the structure of the terminal, reducing production cost and manufacturing difficulty. Moreover, the terminal of the present invention can also make reliable electrical contact with the mating terminal in vibration environments.