Stackable Eyelet Terminal Assembly for Sealed Harness Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grounding systems for wiring harnesses in vehicles face challenges in sealing due to the U-shaped configuration of eyelets, which complicates the process and may interfere with multiple harnesses, leading to undesirable package size and interference.
Innovation Solution
A stackable terminal assembly comprising a first eyelet terminal body with upstanding walls and a second eyelet terminal body without upstanding walls, allowing for securement to a structure, where the second body can jog around the first body to avoid interference and facilitate easier sealing of wiring harnesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a U-shaped eyelet configuration is used to provide bend strength, then the structural strength is improved, but the sealing of the wiring harness becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal assembly is divided into two separate eyelet terminal bodies: a first eyelet terminal body with upstanding walls for unsealed connections, and a second eyelet terminal body without upstanding walls for sealed connections. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between bend strength and sealing ease.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the terminal assembly have different structural characteristics: the first eyelet terminal body has upstanding walls providing bend strength where sealing is not needed, while the second eyelet terminal body has a flat structure where sealing is required. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying the appropriate structure in the appropriate location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wiring harnesses are grounded using traditional eyelets, then the grounding capability is improved, but the package size and interference between harnesses increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second eyelet terminal body is positioned in a different spatial dimension (stacked vertically on the flat surface of the first body) rather than extending in the same plane. This dimensional change allows multiple grounding points to be achieved without increasing the horizontal footprint, thus maintaining versatility while reducing package size and preventing harness interference.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the second eyelet terminal body is positioned to avoid interference with the first body, then the harness isolation is improved, but the overall height may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second eyelet terminal body is nested on top of the flat surface of the first eyelet terminal body, utilizing the vertical space above the first body rather than extending the overall height significantly. This nesting approach achieves harness isolation while minimizing the increase in overall height compared to other positioning arrangements.
Data Source
AI summary
A stackable terminal assembly mounted to structure, including a first eyelet terminal body having a flat base portion, an upstanding wall extending from the base portion generally normal thereto, and a mounting feature for securing the first eyelet terminal body to the structure; and a second eyelet terminal body having a flat base and configured to extend generally parallel to the structure between the base portion and the structure, a second mounting feature configured to allow for securement of the second eyelet terminal body between the structure and the first eyelet terminal body. Wiring harnesses connected to the first and second eyelet terminal bodies may be segregated with a first wiring harness connected to the first eyelet terminal body in a non-sealing fashion and a second wiring harness connected to the second eyelet terminal body in a sealing fashion.