Terminal Cover with Elastic Claws for Secure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal covers are prone to mechanical damage and swarf entrapment when metallic terminals are installed, and they have a complex, large structure due to multiple parts.
Innovation Solution
A resin-based terminal cover with a semicircular curved portion and a base portion, featuring claws that deform elastically to accommodate the terminal without damage, reducing the cover's size and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a terminal cover is made with multiple parts (cover body, lid, terminal protector, wire protector), then it provides comprehensive protection and retention, but the structure becomes complicated and the size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the terminal protector and wire protector into a single integrated cover body, and integrates the lid with the cover body through a hinge mechanism. This merging of previously separate components reduces the overall number of parts while maintaining the protective functions, directly resolving the contradiction between comprehensive protection and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cover body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the terminal, protects the wire connector, provides retention through claws, and incorporates a hinge for the lid. The lid also serves dual purposes as both a protective cover and a structural element that can be opened for access. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace multiple separate parts, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If claws are made with a small interval to retain the terminal, then retention is improved, but the terminal cannot be inserted without damaging the claws
Solution Approach 1:
The claws are designed with elastic properties that allow them to dynamically adjust their position. During installation, the claws can elastically deform to increase their interval, allowing the terminal to be inserted without damage. After installation, the claws return to their original position with the smaller interval, providing secure retention. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between retention capability and installation ease
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes elastic deformation to change the physical parameter of the claw interval. The claws transition from a compressed state (small interval for retention) to an expanded state (larger interval for insertion) through elastic deformation. This parameter change allows the same component to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different stages of the product lifecycle
3Strength
If the cover body is made rigid for structural strength, then mechanical protection is improved, but elastic deformation for claw expansion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cover body is designed with non-uniform structural properties: certain regions are made more flexible to allow elastic deformation of the claws, while other regions maintain higher rigidity for overall structural strength. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the cover body to simultaneously provide structural strength and elastic deformation capability, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements
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
The terminal cover facilitates easy assembly and installation without damaging the claws, ensuring stable retention and preventing swarf entrapment, while maintaining electrical insulation and mechanical protection.
Implementation Method 1
The interval is increased by elastic deformation of the cover body arising from installation of the terminal in the terminal cover
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal cover includes a cover body equipped with a curved portion and a base portion. The curved portion has formed therein a pair of claws diametrically opposed to each other. The claws are arranged at an interval away from each other. The interval is selected to be smaller than the width of the terminal and increased by elastic deformation of the cover body arising from installation of a terminal in the terminal cover, so that the claws retain the terminal. This structure enables the terminal cover to be simple and small-sized and facilitates installation of the terminal in the terminal cover without being scraped by the terminal when inserted into the terminal cover.