Terminal Plating After Bending to Reduce Contact Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional terminal production methods involving spring contact parts require lengthy processes and increased costs due to the interposition of the plating step between punching and bending steps, necessitating complex settings and product transportation.
Innovation Solution
A production method where the punching and bending steps are performed sequentially, followed by a plating step that allows a nozzle to jet plating liquid into the terminal through a utility opening or insertion port to plate the spring contact part, thereby separating the plating process from the previous steps and simplifying settings and transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plating step is interposed between the punch-out step and the bending step, then the spring contact part can be plated with conductive metal, but the production time is extended and manufacturing cost increases due to complex settings and transportation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional sequence by performing the plating step after the bending step instead of before it. This reversal allows the terminal body to be fully formed first, then selectively plated in the desired locations, eliminating the need for complex masking and reducing production time while maintaining the electrical conductivity benefit
2Reliability
If the plating step is interposed between the punch-out step and the bending step, then the spring contact part can be plated with conductive metal, but the device complexity increases due to troublesome settings for all different kinds of manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the process sequence to plate after bending, the patent eliminates the need for complex intermediate masking setups and multiple transportation handlers. The terminal body is completely formed first, then plated in a single simplified operation, reducing device complexity while achieving the same electrical performance
3Reliability
If the plating step is interposed between the punch-out step and the bending step, then the spring contact part can be plated with conductive metal, but the manufacturing cost increases due to troublesome settings and transportation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The inverted sequence of plating after bending eliminates the need for expensive intermediate masking materials, multiple transportation handlers, and complex setup procedures. This single-step post-bending plating approach reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the electrical conductivity benefit of plated spring contact parts
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 approach significantly reduces manufacturing time and costs by streamlining the production process, allowing for efficient plating of terminals and wire harnesses while maintaining the spring contact force and reducing contact resistance.
Implementation Method 1
allow a nozzle to enter the box part through the terminal insertion port and allow the entered nozzle to jet plating liquid
Implementation Method 2
jet plating liquid, thereby plating at least the spring contact part
Data Source
AI summary
A production method for a terminal includes: a first pressing step for pressing a parent material plate made of a conductive metal and punching out a prescribed shape; a second pressing step following the first pressing step, for bending the plate of prescribed shape, and forming a terminal provided with a box part onto the front surface of which opens a terminal insertion port into which a partner terminal is inserted, and a spring contact part arranged inside the box part; and a plating step following the second pressing step, for plating at least the spring contact part with a conductive metal.