Terminal Fitting Protection Wall Design for Deformation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal fittings are prone to deformation and damage due to external forces, particularly because of stress concentration at slits used to accommodate plate thickness, leading to potential cracking.
Innovation Solution
A terminal fitting design featuring a rectangular tube with resilient contact pieces and protection walls that are formed by bending the side walls inward, eliminating the need for slits and enhancing rigidity through a larger shear area and protection wall configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a slit is provided in the side wall to accommodate plate thickness, then the protection wall can be fitted in the rectangular tube, but stress concentrates on the slit and causes deformation and cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The protection wall is configured to extend obliquely from the side wall at an angle rather than perpendicular to it. This angular configuration allows the protection wall to accommodate plate thickness and fit within the rectangular tube without requiring a slit in the side wall, thereby eliminating stress concentration while maintaining proper fitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection wall is divided into multiple sections: a first protection wall extending from the first side wall and a second protection wall extending from the second side wall. These segmented protection walls meet or overlap in the middle, distributing structural stress and eliminating the need for a continuous slit while maintaining rigidity and fit.
2Device complexity
If the protection wall extends perpendicular to the bottom wall, then the structure is simple, but the shear area is small and rigidity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protection wall extends obliquely at an angle from the side wall rather than perpendicular to the bottom wall. This angular configuration increases the shear area and length of the protection wall, enhancing rigidity and resistance to external forces while maintaining relatively simple structural implementation.
3Shape
If the tab is long and narrow to accommodate plate thickness, then it can be inserted into the rectangular tube, but it deforms easily under external force
Solution Approach 1:
The protection wall extends obliquely rather than perpendicular to the bottom wall, creating a longer, more distributed structural support. This angular configuration increases the shear area and provides better mechanical support to the tab, preventing deformation while allowing proper insertion into the rectangular tube.
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 design significantly reduces susceptibility to deformation and damage from external forces by distributing stress more evenly and eliminating the need for slits, thereby increasing the terminal fitting's strength and rigidity.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient contact piece (21) arranged along the bottom wall (12) inside the rectangular tube (11)
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal fitting to be connected to a mating terminal fitting with a tab (T) includes a rectangular tube (11) composed of a bottom wall (12), two side walls (13) rising from the bottom wall (12) and a ceiling wall (15) facing the bottom wall (12). A resilient contact (21) extends along the bottom wall (12) inside the rectangular tube (11). A protection wall (31, 131) has bending edge (L1) continuous with one of the side walls (13) is before a front end (12A) of the bottom wall (12) and extends from the bending edge (L1) toward the other side wall (13). A clearance for receiving the tab (T) is between the protection wall (31, 131) and the ceiling wall (15). The bending edge (L1) approaches the ceiling wall (15) from a front end (12A) of the bottom wall (12) toward a front end (13A) of the side wall (13).