Electric Terminal Assembly Cap Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric terminal assemblies lack effective protection for contact arms, leading to potential damage from accidental contact and unintended grounding of electric current.

Innovation Solution

The electric terminal assembly includes a conductor with contact arms, a spring portion to bias the arms toward the terminal axis, and a cap portion that provides alignment and protection by being located farther from the conductor body than the arm ends, preventing accidental engagement and grounding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If contact arms are made accessible for engagement, then electrical connection functionality is improved, but vulnerability to damage and unintended grounding increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal protectionVSAvoidterminal engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cap is positioned in advance to cover the contact arms before engagement occurs. The cap's location farther from the conductor body than the arm ends creates a preliminary protective barrier that guides proper engagement while preventing accidental contact or misalignment that could cause damage or unintended grounding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cap serves as an intermediary element between the external environment and the contact arms. By being located closer to the terminal axis than the arm ends and extending beyond them in the outward direction, the cap mediates the engagement process, allowing proper electrical connection while blocking improper access that could lead to damage or grounding issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If contact arms extend outward for engagement, then electrical connection capability is improved, but exposure to harmful factors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement capabilityVSAvoidaccidental contact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cap provides localized protection specifically at the vulnerable contact arm ends. By extending beyond the arm ends in the outward direction while maintaining the conductor body connection, the cap creates a protective zone exactly where the contact arms are most exposed to harmful factors such as accidental contact or environmental damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cap is positioned in advance to cover the contact arms before any harmful contact can occur. The cap's predetermined location farther from the conductor body than the arm ends ensures that protection is already in place before engagement or potential damage events, preventing rather than reacting to harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9847591B2Electric terminal assembly

Publication Date: 2017.12.19 LEAR CORP

AI summary

An electric terminal assembly includes a conductor. The conductor has a conductor body and a plurality of contact arms that extend from the conductor body in an outward direction to respective arm ends. The contact arms are located around a terminal axis. The electric terminal assembly also includes a cap fixed relative to the conductor. The cap is located farther from the conductor body in the outward direction than the arm ends. The cap defines a cap opening that the terminal axis extends through. The cap is located farther from the conductor body in the outward direction than the arm ends, and the cap is closer to the terminal axis than the arm ends.