Terminal Fitting With Hood For Sealed Vehicle Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical terminal fittings in vehicle systems face challenges with moisture and debris exposure, requiring a sealed system while allowing for terminal replacement without damaging the seal, and needing enhanced retention and electrical performance.
Innovation Solution
A female electrical terminal constructed from two separate pieces – a conductive contacting piece and a high-strength reinforcing piece – with a locking arm and insulative housing, providing superior retention and sealing through a moisture-resistant barrier and easy terminal removal without damaging the seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the terminal fitting is constructed from two separate pieces (contacting piece and reinforcing piece), then the retention force and electrical performance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal fitting is divided into two separate pieces: a contacting piece made from highly conductive metal for electrical performance, and a support piece made from high strength material for retention force. This segmentation allows each piece to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between strength and complexity by providing clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal fitting combines two different materials with complementary properties: highly conductive metal for electrical contact and high strength material for structural support. This composite approach allows the assembly to achieve both superior electrical performance and retention force while maintaining reasonable complexity through functional specialization.
2Reliability
If a sealed system is provided with moisture resistant barrier, then the reliability in harsh environments is improved, but the ease of operation for terminal replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal fitting is designed as a separable component that can be removed from the connector housing without damaging the seal. The contacting piece and support piece can be individually replaced while the seal remains intact in the housing, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal fitting is extracted as a removable component from the sealed connector housing. The seal remains permanently attached to the housing while the terminal fitting can be removed and replaced externally, allowing maintenance without compromising the sealed environment.
3Strength
If the terminal fitting uses a locking arm for retention, then the retention force is improved, but the ease of operation for terminal removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is designed as a dynamic component that can be actively engaged to provide strong retention during normal operation, but can also be actively disengaged to allow terminal removal. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between retention force and ease of operation by providing controlled reversibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical terminal fitting includes a body and a hood. The body is formed from a first material and includes a connection section and a contacting section with the contacting section having a flexible contact beam and stiffening beam for receiving a male pin of a mating terminal. The hood is formed from a second material having a higher tensile strength than the first material and is secured to the body. The hood includes a rib having tapered ends and a locking beam that engages a housing to secure the terminal. The locking beam further includes a stop having a rounded end.