Terminal Rotation Prevention via Segmented Holding Portion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional terminals fixed in a housing can rotate with respect to the housing, compromising the sealing property and secure fixation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a rotation prevention portion with first and second engaged portions on the terminal holding portion, which engages with locking claws in the housing to prevent rotation and detachment, ensuring secure fixation and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal is fixed in the housing using a columnar terminal holding portion, then the sealing property is improved, but the terminal can rotate with respect to the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing propertyVSAvoidrotation prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal holding portion is segmented into multiple functional features: a columnar base structure for sealing, and multiple protrusions extending from the columnar portion to engage with recesses in the housing. This segmentation allows the same component to simultaneously provide sealing (columnar portion) and rotation prevention (protrusions), resolving the contradiction between sealing property and rotational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the terminal holding portion is designed to prevent rotation, then the fixation stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation prevention protrusions are merged with the terminal holding portion as an integrated structure rather than being separate components. The protrusions extend directly from the columnar holding portion, combining the sealing function (columnar shape) and rotation prevention function (protrusions) into a single unified component, thereby improving fixation stability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3582333B1terminal
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP3582333B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3582333B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3582333B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal includes: a terminal main body having an electrical conductivity, and including a contact portion; and an insulation member which includes a terminal holding portion which is arranged on a rear end side of the contact portion and held in in the housing. The terminal holding portion includes a rotation prevention portion, which is engaged with a locking portion formed in the housing to prevent rotation of the terminal in the housing.