Terminal With Elastic Piece For Vibration Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The insertion of a mating terminal into a rectangular tube portion can be hindered by external forces bending the holding portion inward, compromising connection reliability under vibration environments.
Innovation Solution
A terminal design featuring a rectangular tube portion with a resilient contact piece and receiving portion, where at least one side wall includes a resilient piece that suppresses tab movement by pressing inwardly and contacting the resilient contact piece, ensuring the tab is securely positioned and preventing abrasion and insertion hindrance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the holding portion is bent inwardly of the rectangular tube portion by external force, then the tab movement suppression is improved, but the insertion of mating terminal is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The holding portion is designed as a resilient (elastic) component that can dynamically adjust its position. During insertion, it flexes outward to allow easy insertion of the mating terminal tab. After insertion, it returns to its resilient state to suppress tab movement under vibration, thus resolving the contradiction between insertion ease and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding portion's physical state changes based on external forces. During insertion, it temporarily changes its displacement parameter to allow easy access. Once inserted, it maintains its resilient displacement to prevent tab movement, thus adapting the parameter to different operational phases.
2Reliability
If the holding portion is made resilient to suppress tab movement, then the connection reliability under vibration is improved, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding portion serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural support element and a resilient tab suppression mechanism. By integrating these functions into a single component rather than adding separate elements, the design achieves vibration resistance without proportionally increasing structure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding portion is designed to automatically perform its tab suppression function through its own resilient properties without requiring additional active components or complex control mechanisms. The resilient material itself provides the necessary force to suppress tab movement, making the system self-regulating.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the resilient piece presses the tab inwardly to suppress movement, then the tab stability is improved, but the insertion force requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient piece provides dynamic force characteristics: during insertion, it flexes to minimize resistance force. After insertion, it exerts its resilient force to suppress tab movement. This temporal separation of force requirements resolves the contradiction between stability and insertion force.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient piece is pre-positioned to provide cushioning during insertion, reducing the peak force required. Its elastic properties allow it to absorb insertion energy and then provide sustained suppression force, thus reducing the overall insertion force requirement while maintaining tab stability.
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 enhances the reliability of the terminal connection by preventing tab movement and abrasion under vibration, ensuring easy insertion and maintaining connection integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient piece for suppressing a movement of the tab in the first direction by pressing a side edge of the tab inwardly of the recontact portion in the first direction
Implementation Method 2
a movement of a tip part of the resilient piece inwardly of the rectangular tube portion in the first direction being suppressed by contact of the contact portion with the side edge of the resilient contact piece
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal 10 comprises: an angular tube portion 11 from the front of which a tab 41 of an opposite terminal 40 is inserted; an elastic contact piece 15 provided in the angular tube portion 11; and a receiving portion 19 provided in the angular tube portion 11 to hold the tab 41 between the receiving portion 19 and the elastic contact piece 15. The angular tube portion 11 comprises a first wall 12 on which the elastic contact piece 15 is provided, a second wall 13 on which the receiving portion 19 is provided, and a pair of side walls 14 connecting both side edges of the first wall 12 and both side edges of the second wall 13. The pair of side walls 14 oppose each other in a first direction. At least one of the pair of side walls 14 comprises an elastic piece 23 for pressing a side edge of the tab 41 toward the inside of the angular tube portion 11 in the first direction to prevent movement of the tab 41 in the first direction. The elastic piece 23 includes an abutting portion 27 disposed opposite a side edge 15A of the elastic contact piece 15 with respect to the first direction. As the abutting portion 27 abuts on the side edge 15A of the elastic contact piece 15, a tip-end portion 23A of the elastic piece 23 is prevented from moving toward the inside of the angular tube portion 11 in the first direction.