Terminal Block Nut Holder Structure for Compact Anti-Rotation Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional terminal block housings that store nuts are bulky due to the enlarged storage design, making downsizing challenging.
Innovation Solution
A terminal block design featuring a housing with storage chambers that restrict nut rotation using wall surfaces and a holder with support units positioned opposite to the nut, allowing for a more compact configuration by distributing the load across multiple wall surfaces and reducing the need for extensive protrusions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the storage chamber is designed with a protruding wedge portion to store the nut, then the storage capacity is improved, but the housing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is stored inside the storage chamber formed within the housing body, nesting the nut storage function within the existing housing structure rather than adding external protrusions. This allows the nut to be contained within the housing's envelope dimensions, achieving storage capacity without increasing overall housing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage chamber utilizes the thickness dimension of the housing to create storage space, rather than extending protrusions in the radial direction. By forming the storage chamber as a cavity within the housing body, the design converts available internal volume into functional storage space without expanding the external footprint.
2Quantity of substance
If the storage chamber is enlarged to accommodate the nut, then the nut storage function is improved, but the housing becomes bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The storage chamber is designed with specific local geometries including wall surfaces with predetermined shapes that interact with corresponding surfaces of the nut. This localized shaping provides effective nut retention and rotation prevention without requiring global enlargement of the housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage chamber is segmented into functional zones with wall surfaces positioned to contact specific surfaces of the nut. This segmentation allows each wall surface to perform a specific function (rotation restriction, positioning, or support) efficiently, maximizing storage capability within minimal space.
3Reliability
If the holder is designed with extensive protrusions to support the nut, then the nut support function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is integrated with the housing structure, merging the nut support function into the existing housing rather than using a separate complex support mechanism. The holder utilizes the housing's wall surfaces and structural features to provide stable nut support, eliminating the need for additional protrusions or separate support components.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure itself provides the support surfaces for the nut through its wall surfaces, making the housing self-sufficient for nut support functionality. The predetermined shapes of the wall surfaces automatically provide the necessary support and rotation restriction without requiring additional active support mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal block includes: a busbar including a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, the first terminal portion having a through hole; a housing that holds the busbar and has a storage chamber; a nut stored in the storage chamber; and a holder including a support unit that supports the nut, the holder configured to be attached to the housing, in which the storage chamber has wall surfaces facing individual side surfaces of the nut, the storage chamber configured to restrict rotation of the nut by using the wall surfaces of the storage chamber, and the support unit is positioned on a side opposite to a side of the first terminal portion with respect to the nut, the support unit configured to support the nut by setting a threaded hole of the nut to face the through hole.