Terminal Module Drainage Structure for Wire Connection Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid, such as water droplets, adhering to bus bars can infiltrate voltage detection terminals and Electronic Control Units (ECUs) through wires, causing problems due to condensation or other means, which existing technologies have not effectively addressed.
Innovation Solution
A terminal module with a protector housing part of the terminal, featuring liquid draining parts with extension parts that guide adhering liquid away from the wire connection, preventing it from reaching the wires, and individual housing parts to collect and contain the liquid effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal is connected directly to the bus bar and wire without additional protective structures, then the device complexity is low, but liquid can reach the wire connection part causing reliability problems
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is divided into distinct functional sections: a terminal connection part for bus bar attachment, a wire connection part for wire attachment, and an intermediate liquid draining part with first and second extension parts. This segmentation allows liquid to be channeled away from the wire connection through the first extension part while maintaining separate functional zones, thus improving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid draining part acts as an intermediary element between the terminal connection part and the wire connection part. It includes a first extension part that extends in the gravity direction to drain liquid away from the wire connection, and a second extension part that extends opposite to gravity. This intermediary structure prevents direct liquid pathways while maintaining electrical connectivity, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and protection
2Reliability
If the first extension part of the liquid draining part is made longer to guide liquid away from the wire connection part, then liquid protection is improved, but the length dimension of the terminal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid draining part utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with the first extension part extending in the gravity direction and the second extension part extending in the opposite direction. This dimensional approach allows liquid to be guided away from the wire connection part through vertical extension rather than horizontal lengthening, improving liquid protection while controlling the terminal's overall footprint
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 terminal module effectively inhibits liquid from reaching the wire connection, preventing issues with other devices and maintaining a compact design by guiding and collecting liquid away from the wire connection, thus ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first extension part extending in a direction of gravity being provided between the terminal connection part and the wire connection part in the terminal
Implementation Method 2
liquid that travels along the first extension part is pulled by surface tension into the gap between the bent part of the liquid draining part and the bottom wall of the housing part
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration is adopted in which a terminal module includes a voltage detection terminal having a terminal connection part connected to an electrode terminal and a wire connection part connected to a wire, and a protector housing at least part of the voltage detection terminal, with two liquid draining parts each including a first extension part extending downward in the direction of gravity being provided between the terminal connection part and the wire connection part in the voltage detection terminal, and the protector having a housing part housing the liquid draining parts and accumulating liquid that travels along the first extension part.