Staggered Terminal Contact Rows Reduce Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing terminal contact point structures concentrate the contact point position in a single direction, resulting in a high maximum insertion force, which increases the risk of operator injury and potential inadequate mating between terminals.
Innovation Solution
The terminal contact point structure features contact portions arranged in multiple rows perpendicular to the insertion direction, allowing for staggered contact points that distribute the contact pressure, reducing the maximum insertion force and ensuring secure conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If contact portions are disposed in one row along the insertion direction, then the structure is simple, but the maximum insertion force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portions are arranged in multiple rows in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, transitioning from a one-dimensional single-row arrangement to a two-dimensional multi-row arrangement. This dimensional change distributes the contact points across different positions, causing the conduction portion to contact different contact portions at different timings during insertion, thereby reducing the peak insertion force while maintaining structural simplicity
2Device complexity
If contact portions are disposed in one row, then the contact structure is simple, but operator injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging contact portions in multiple rows perpendicular to the insertion direction, the patent distributes the insertion force across multiple contact points at different positions. This reduces the maximum insertion force exerted on the operator's hand during terminal insertion, thereby lowering the risk of operator injury while keeping the contact structure simple and easy to manufacture
3Ease of manufacture
If contact portions are disposed in one row, then the manufacturing is simple, but insertion force distribution is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges contact portions in multiple rows in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, creating a two-dimensional contact pattern. This allows the conduction portion to contact different contact portions at different timings during insertion, improving force distribution while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a regular grid-like arrangement that is easy to fabricate
Data Source
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AI summary
A terminal contact point structure (1) includes: an insertion portion (3) for a conduction portion of a counterpart terminal to be inserted; and contact portions (5, 7, 105, 107) disposed at the insertion portion (3) and configured to contact the conduction portion of the counterpart terminal. The contact portions (5, 7, 105, 107) are disposed in a plurality of rows in a direction perpendicular to an insertion direction (A) of the conduction portion of the counterpart terminal to form a contact group (9, 103, 103A). The contact portions (5, 7, 105, 107) in the contact group (9, 103, 103A) are positioned displaced to each other backward-forward in the insertion direction (A) to contact, at different timings respectively, the conduction portion of the counterpart terminal being inserted.