Terminal Contact Structure for Vibration-Stable Low-Resistance Mating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing terminal unit has a low gripping force for the male terminal in the plate width direction, leading to increased contact resistance due to slight sliding friction between the male and female terminals, especially under external vibrations.
Innovation Solution
The terminal unit incorporates a male terminal with inclined portions and a female terminal with inclined side edge parts and spring members, which bias the contact portions towards each other, effectively preventing displacement of the male terminal in the plate width direction and reducing sliding friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the male terminal is sandwiched between the pair of wall portions of the female terminal, then the terminal unit achieves a simple structure, but the gripping force for the male terminal in the plate width direction is small
Solution Approach 1:
The female terminal is divided into multiple contact pieces (first contact piece, second contact piece, third contact piece, fourth contact piece) instead of using a single wall portion. Each contact piece is independently resilient and can apply gripping force to different regions of the male terminal, thereby increasing the overall gripping force while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The contact pieces are arranged in multiple directions (front-rear direction and left-right direction) to apply gripping force to the male terminal from multiple dimensions. This multi-directional arrangement increases the gripping force in the plate width direction without significantly complicating the structure
2Device complexity
If the male terminal is sandwiched between the pair of wall portions, then the structure is simple, but contact resistance increases due to sliding friction from vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The contact pieces are segmented and distributed at different positions (front, rear, left, right) to provide multiple contact points with the male terminal. This segmentation ensures that the male terminal is firmly held at multiple locations, preventing relative displacement and sliding friction that would increase contact resistance during vibration
Solution Approach 2:
The contact pieces are designed as resilient elements that can elastically deform and recover. This allows them to maintain continuous contact pressure on the male terminal, compensating for any slight movements or vibrations, thereby preventing increased contact resistance without requiring complex mechanical constraints
3Force
If resilient contact pieces are used to press the male terminal, then gripping force is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each contact piece serves multiple functions: it provides gripping force to the male terminal, acts as an electrical contact element, and compensates for manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion through its resilience. This multi-functionality increases gripping force without proportionally increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The contact pieces are designed with specific resilient properties and geometric parameters (thickness, length, material properties) that allow them to provide adequate gripping force. By optimizing these parameters, the design achieves high gripping force with a relatively simple structure, avoiding the need for complex mechanical systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration suppresses the increase in contact resistance by maintaining the male terminal in place, ensuring stable electrical connectivity and reducing the impact of external forces and vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
spring members for biasing the first and second contact portions in directions toward each other
Implementation Method 2
the first spring member pressing the first contact point portion of the first inclined side edge part and the second contact point portion of the second inclined side edge part located on the one side in the plate width direction against the inclined portion
Implementation Method 3
suppress an increase of a contact resistance value due to slight sliding friction between the male and female terminals by suppressing a displacement of the male terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal unit includes a male terminal and a female terminal. The female terminal includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion and spring members. The male terminal includes a pair of inclined portions. The first contact portion includes a pair of first inclined side edge parts along the inclined portions. Each first inclined side edge part is provided with a first contact point portion. The second contact portion includes a pair of second inclined side edge parts along the inclined portions. Each second inclined side edge part is provided with a second contact point portion. The spring members include a first spring member and a second spring member for biasing the first and second inclined side edge parts in directions toward each other. The first and second spring members press the first and second contact point portions against the inclined portions press-fit between those contact point portions.