Sliding Terminal Structure for Compact Battery Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting terminal structures for battery packs and electric apparatuses require additional terminals, leading to increased size due to insufficient space for signal terminals, necessitating a solution that allows for additional terminal functionality without expanding the width of the battery pack or electric apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A connecting terminal structure where terminals of different functions are arranged in the sliding direction, allowing a terminal on one member to pass through or be connected to another member's terminal without increasing the width, utilizing beveled male terminals and spring-like female terminals for secure and easy insertion and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional signal terminals are provided between the negative male terminal and positive male terminal, then the functionality of the battery connection is improved, but the width dimension of the terminal portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from arranging terminals only in the width direction to arranging them in both the width direction and the sliding direction (depth direction). By utilizing the sliding direction as an additional dimension for terminal arrangement, the design accommodates additional signal terminals without increasing the width dimension, effectively resolving the spatial conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a two-stage terminal structure where female terminals are arranged in two stages (first stage and second stage) along the sliding direction. The male terminal slides through the first stage to reach the second stage, creating a nested arrangement that allows multiple terminals to occupy a compact space without increasing width.
2Quantity of substance
If the interval between negative male terminal and positive male terminal is enlarged to accommodate additional signal terminals, then more signal terminals can be added, but the size of the battery pack increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the interval in the width direction, the patent utilizes the sliding direction (depth direction) to arrange female terminals in two stages. This allows multiple signal terminals to be accommodated by distributing them along the sliding path rather than spreading them out in width, thereby increasing terminal quantity without increasing battery pack size.
Solution Approach 2:
The female terminals are segmented into two distinct stages (first stage and second stage) along the sliding direction. This segmentation allows the male terminal to pass through the first stage to reach the second stage, enabling multiple terminals to be packed into a compact space without requiring increased intervals between them.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple terminals are arranged in the sliding direction, then additional terminals can be added without increasing width, but the complexity of terminal arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric terminal arrangements where male terminals have different lengths (first male terminal longer than second male terminal) and female terminals are arranged in asymmetric two-stage configurations. This asymmetric design, while appearing complex, actually simplifies the connection process by creating a natural sliding path that guides the male terminal to the correct female terminal without requiring complex alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The female terminals are pre-positioned in two stages along the sliding direction before the male terminal is inserted. This preliminary arrangement creates a guided path that automatically directs the male terminal to the correct connection point, reducing the operational complexity despite the multi-stage configuration.
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
Enables the addition of terminals without increasing the width of the battery pack or electric apparatus, ensuring efficient electrical connection and easy sliding movement while maintaining compact dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
spring-like female terminals for secure and easy insertion and detachment
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3
AI summary
A connecting terminal structure allows providing additional terminals without an increase in the width of a battery pack (30; 60) and an electric apparatus (10; 70). In a connecting terminals structure according to the present invention, a battery pack (30; 60) is provided with a plurality of terminals (45, 46) having different functions arranged in a sliding direction, and an electric apparatus (10; 70) is provided with a terminal (23s) to be connected to one of the plurality of terminals (46) of the battery pack (30; 60). Through relative sliding between the battery pack (10; 70) and the electric apparatus (10; 70), before the terminal (23s) in the electric apparatus (10; 70) reaches the terminal (46) in the battery pack (30; 60), the terminal (23s) in the electric apparatus (10; 70) can pass through another terminal (45) in the battery pack (30; 60).