Terminal Connection Structure Without a Relay Terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal connection structures require a relay terminal, making it difficult to reduce thickness and size while preventing accidental operator contact.
Innovation Solution
A terminal connection structure where first and second terminals are connected without a relay terminal, using a fastener with a thickness adjustment portion to absorb differences in terminal thickness and expose only the contact portions, preventing accidental contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a relay terminal is used to prevent accidental contact, then safety is improved, but the thickness and size of the connection structure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the relay terminal from the connection structure, allowing direct contact between terminal bodies while maintaining safety through alternative design features such as insulating materials and exposed contact portions that prevent accidental contact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional relay terminal structure to a two-dimensional direct contact interface, where contact portions are exposed on the surface of terminal bodies, reducing the thickness dimension while maintaining safety functionality
2Reliability
If a relay terminal is used to prevent accidental contact, then safety is improved, but the size of the connection structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay terminal component is completely removed from the system, replacing it with a direct connection mechanism that uses insulating materials and exposed contact portions, thereby reducing the overall area occupied by the connection structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the relay terminal (safety isolation and electrical connection) directly into the terminal body structure itself, eliminating the need for a separate relay terminal component and reducing overall size
3Adaptability or versatility
If terminal thickness varies according to specification, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is designed with universal features including insulating materials that can accommodate various terminal thicknesses and standardized exposed contact portion configurations, allowing the same basic structure to adapt to different terminal specifications without increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the thickness parameter of the terminal body to vary while maintaining the same structural design principles, where the insulating material and exposed contact portion configuration remain consistent regardless of the specific thickness value, thereby accommodating different specifications without increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal connection structure includes: a first connector including a first terminal; a second connector including a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal; and a fastener configured to fasten the first terminal and the second terminal. The first connector includes a first opening and a protruding portion. The second connector includes a second opening configured to expose a second contact portion of the second terminal and an inserted portion of the second terminal. The fastener includes a bolt and a thickness adjustment portion sandwiched between a contact location between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and a seat surface portion of the bolt, and fastens the first terminal and the second terminal in a state in which the first connector and the second connector are fitted to each other, in which the protruding portion is inserted into the inserted portion.