Terminal Mounting Structure With Elastic Contact For Stud Bolt

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal mounting systems require complex and time-consuming processing of dedicated mounting holes and members, necessitating high dimensional accuracy and increasing man-hours and maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A terminal with a contact portion, an insertion portion for a stud bolt, and an elastic portion that urges the contact portion against the mounting surface when engaged with a washer, eliminating the need for bolt fastening and reducing dimensional accuracy requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a dedicated mounting hole and complicated mounting member are used to press the terminal against the vehicle body frame, then the terminal can be mounted without bolt fastening work, but substantially many man-hours are required for processing the mounting hole or mounting member and high-level dimensional accuracy is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting operationVSAvoidman-hours for processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal body itself serves as the mounting member with an integrated mounting hole, eliminating the need for separate complicated mounting members. The terminal's own structure provides the mounting function, reducing processing complexity and man-hours while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting hole is directly formed in the terminal body rather than being a separate component. This merging of the terminal body and mounting structure simplifies the overall system, reduces the number of parts, and eliminates the need for high-level dimensional accuracy in separate mounting members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a dedicated mounting hole and complicated mounting member are used to press the terminal against the vehicle body frame, then the terminal can be mounted without bolt fastening work, but high-level dimensional accuracy is required to keep a proper value as the force with which the terminal is pressed against the vehicle body frame

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting operationVSAvoiddimensional accuracy of mounting hole

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal body itself serves as the mounting member with an integrated mounting hole, eliminating the need for separate complicated mounting members. The terminal's own structure provides the mounting function, reducing processing complexity and man-hours while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting hole is directly formed in the terminal body rather than being a separate component. This merging of the terminal body and mounting structure simplifies the overall system, reduces the number of parts, and eliminates the need for high-level dimensional accuracy in separate mounting members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a dedicated mounting hole and complicated mounting member are used to press the terminal against the vehicle body frame, then the terminal can be mounted without bolt fastening work, but it can increase the maintenance cost when it is in practical use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting operationVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal body itself serves as the mounting member with an integrated mounting hole, eliminating the need for separate complicated mounting members. The terminal's own structure provides the mounting function, reducing processing complexity and man-hours while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting hole is directly formed in the terminal body rather than being a separate component. This merging of the terminal body and mounting structure simplifies the overall system, reduces the number of parts, and eliminates the need for high-level dimensional accuracy in separate mounting members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution reduces man-hours and costs by simplifying the mounting process, ensuring reliable electric connection without the need for precise torque control and complex hole processing, while maintaining the reliability of the electrical contact.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic portion connected to the contact portion and extending in a direction to leave the mounting surface, the elastic portion being configured to urge the contact portion elastically toward the mounting surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11349231B2Terminal, and mounting structure of terminal and mounting surface

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

A terminal is mounted on a mounting surface having a stud bolt standing on the mounting surface. The terminal having: a contact portion configured to contact with the mounting surface; an insertion portion allowing the stud bolt to be inserted to the insertion portion; and an elastic portion connected to the contact portion and extending in a direction to leave the mounting surface. The elastic portion is configured to urge the contact portion elastically toward the mounting surface when he terminal touches a fixture engaged with the stud bolt.