Terminal Fitting Recess Base for Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal fittings face challenges in miniaturization due to the difficulty in reducing their height while maintaining sufficient deformation space for resilient contact pieces, which affects their compactness and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A terminal fitting design featuring a recess within the base of a box-shaped tubular main portion, where the support of the resilient contact piece is in contact with the bottom surface of the recess, allowing for reduced dimensions while ensuring deformation space, and a retraction groove to manage excessive deformation, enabling miniaturization without compromising resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the height of the main portion is reduced by decreasing the height of the resilient contact piece, then the miniaturization of the terminal fitting is improved, but the deformation space for the resilient contact piece becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional juxtaposed arrangement (support and base in the height direction) to a nested arrangement where the support is positioned within the thickness range of the base. This dimensional reorganization allows the support to be housed within the base's thickness, effectively utilizing the third dimension (thickness direction) to resolve the height reduction conflict while preserving deformation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The support is nested within the thickness range of the base, with the bottom surface of the support contacting the bottom surface of the recess formed in the base. This nesting configuration allows the support to be accommodated within the base structure, reducing the overall height of the main portion while ensuring sufficient deformation space for the resilient contact piece.
2Reliability
If the support and base are juxtaposed in the height direction, then the contact state is firm, but the height of the main portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the support from the height direction to the thickness direction of the base. The support is arranged within the thickness range of the base, contacting the bottom surface of the recess, thereby maintaining firm contact while reducing the height of the main portion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the support below the base (conventional juxtaposed arrangement), the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the support within the thickness range of the base, with the bottom surface of the support contacting the bottom surface of the recess. This inverted configuration achieves firm contact while minimizing height.
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 achieves miniaturization of the terminal fitting while maintaining adequate deformation space for the resilient contact piece, ensuring a firm contact state and preventing interference, thus enhancing the compactness and reliability of the terminal fitting.
Implementation Method 1
The tab inserted into the main portion, contacts the resilient contact piece and causes the resilient contact piece to deform resiliently toward the base
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal fitting (10) is provided with a box-shaped main portion (11) capable of receiving a tab (61) of a mating terminal fitting (60) and a resiliently deformable resilient contact piece (12) arranged in the main portion (11) to be connected to the tab (61) inserted into the main portion (11). The resilient contact piece (12) includes a supporting portion (40) for resilient deformation in the main portion (11). The main portion (11) includes a base portion (18) facing the resilient contact piece (12) in a resilient deforming direction of the resilient contact piece (12). The base portion (18) includes a recess (46) formed within the thickness range thereof the base portion (18), and the supporting portion (40) is in contact with the bottom surface of the recess (46).