Sliding Shield Connector for Secure Terminal Bolting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for apparatus in metal cases face challenges in achieving reliable connections between terminals, leading to inconsistent and unreliable power supply.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a first housing with a bolt-connectable terminal and a second housing with a terminal portion, where the terminals are superposed with bolt-insertion holes, and shield shells that slide to cover and expose the operation hole, ensuring firm and secure connections between the apparatus-side terminal, first terminal, and second terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first terminal and second terminal are connected through elastic contact in the square-tubular portion, then the connector structure is simple and easy to assemble, but the connection reliability between terminals is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate housings (first housing and second housing) that can be assembled independently. The first housing contains the first terminal with bolt hole, while the second housing contains the second terminal. This segmentation allows for more reliable bolt connection while maintaining modular assembly simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt-insertion holes are pre-positioned in the first terminal and second terminal respectively, aligned to be superposed when the housings are fitted together. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the housings are assembled, the terminals are automatically aligned for reliable bolt connection without requiring additional alignment steps.
2Ease of operation
If the operation hole is always exposed for bolting operations, then the bolting operation is convenient and accessible, but the fitting portion is vulnerable to external factors and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The second shield shell is designed to be slidable rather than fixed, allowing it to move between two positions: covering the operation hole during storage/transport to protect against contamination, and exposing the operation hole during bolting operations for accessibility. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between protection and operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second shield shell acts as an intermediary element between the operation hole and the external environment. It provides physical barrier protection when in the covering position, preventing contamination and interference, while allowing unobstructed access to the operation hole when slid to the exposing position for bolting operations.
3Reliability
If the terminals are firmly bolt-connected, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional bolting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function and the protective function are merged into a single fitting action. When the first housing and second housing are fitted together, the superposed bolt-insertion holes are automatically aligned, and the operation hole becomes accessible. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment mechanisms while maintaining reliable bolting capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Upon fitting of the first housing 10 and the second housing 50, joints 21, 63 of the two terminals 20, 60 are superposed in the fitting portion 11, the two joints 21, 63 having respective bolt-insertion holes 21A, 63A that allow for insertion of a bolt V thereinto so that the two joints 21, 63 are fixed together. The fitting portion 11 of the two housings 10 has an operation hole 23 that allows for bolting of the two terminals 20, 60. A first shield shell 40 is attached to the first housing 10. The first shield shell 40 is fixable to the case. A second shield shell 70 is attached to the second housing 50. The second shield shell 70 in a fitted state of the two housings 10, 50 is slidable between: a position to expose the operation hole 23 to the outside; and a position to cover the operation hole 23 and to cooperate with the first shield shell 40 to cover the fitting portion 11.