Terminal Block Partition Wall Contact Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional terminal block devices lack a method to easily check the contact state between first wires and a partition wall, leading to potential noise issues and assembly challenges when coupling to a motor main body.

Innovation Solution

A terminal block device design that allows the lower terminal block to be easily positioned and coupled to the motor main body by moving it in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, with an upper terminal block featuring a partition wall that can be inserted to check contact with first wires, reducing the likelihood of wire contact and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal block device is coupled to the motor main body with the partition wall positioned between the seat and first wire, then insulation is improved and noise is reduced, but the contact state between the partition wall and first wire cannot be checked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation reliabilityVSAvoidcontact state detectability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies visual indication methods (color changes or visual markers) to show the contact state between the partition wall and first wire. This allows operators to easily detect whether the partition wall is properly contacting the wire during assembly, resolving the detectability issue while maintaining the insulation structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the first wires are inserted through the space and bent in the axial direction, then the terminal block device can be fastened to the front cover, but the distance between the first wires and partition wall decreases causing potential contact and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidnoise from wire contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the partition wall in advance during the assembly process, ensuring it is correctly placed between the seat and first wire before the wire is fully inserted and bent. This preliminary positioning prevents unwanted contact between the wire and partition wall during assembly, eliminating noise while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the lower terminal block is moved in the axial direction and extension direction for easy positioning, then coupling ease is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling easeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces movable or adjustable components to the lower terminal block that allow it to move in the axial and extension directions during assembly. This dynamic capability enables easy positioning and coupling operations while the movement is constrained to specific directions, preventing excessive complexity in the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3751668B1Terminal block device
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP3751668B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3751668B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A terminal block device is coupled to a seat. The seat includes a space for insertion of a first wire. The terminal block device includes a terminal block, which is coupled to the seat, and a terminal unit, which is arranged on the terminal block. The terminal block includes a lower terminal block and an upper terminal block. The upper terminal block includes a partition wall. A direction in which the first wire extends out of the space toward the terminal unit is an extension direction of the first wire. The seat, the partition wall, and the first wire are arranged next to one another in the extension direction so that the partition wall is located between the seat and the first wire inserted through the space.