Terminal Block Nut Locking Structure for Compact Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal block designs require increased housing size due to the need to regulate nut rotation with a bolt, necessitating a thicker housing structure.

Innovation Solution

A terminal block design that incorporates a bus bar with through holes and a nut with protrusions, where the bus bar's housing holes engage with the nut's protrusions to restrict nut rotation, reducing the load on the housing and minimizing its size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the housing thickness is increased to regulate nut rotation, then the structural integrity is improved, but the housing size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidhousing size

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the rotation restriction function into two parts: the housing provides positioning through the positioning hole, and the nut provides rotation restriction through the protrusion engaging with the bus bar's housing hole. This segmentation allows the housing to remain thin while still achieving structural integrity through distributed functional elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion on the nut acts as an intermediary element that transfers the rotation restriction function from the housing to the bus bar. Instead of the housing directly restricting rotation through increased thickness, the protrusion mediates between the nut and bus bar, enabling rotation control without compromising housing size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the housing thickness is increased to provide rotation regulation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation regulationVSAvoidhousing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the housing actively restrict rotation through increased thickness, the invention inverts the approach by having the nut's protrusion actively engage with the bus bar's housing hole to restrict rotation. The housing simply provides positioning through its positioning hole, reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The nut's protrusion automatically engages with the bus bar's housing hole during assembly, providing self-restricting rotation without requiring complex housing structures. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable rotation regulation while keeping the housing design simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250357685A1Terminal block

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

A terminal block includes a bus bar including a through hole, a nut including a screw hole, a housing including a holding portion that holds the bus bar and a recess that holds the nut with the screw hole caused to face the through hole, and a bolt inserted into the through hole and screwed in the nut housed in the recess. The nut includes a facing surface facing the bus bar and a protrusion protruding from the facing surface toward the bus bar. The bus bar includes a housing hole that engages with the protrusion and restrict rotation of the nut.