Terminal Unit Rattling Suppression via Interlocking Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal units for in-vehicle LAN communication wires face rattling issues due to dimensional tolerances in halved terminal accommodating members, which can lead to reduced anti-noise functionality and interference between terminal fittings.
Innovation Solution
A terminal unit design featuring a terminal accommodating member formed by uniting first and second members in a direction intersecting the wire axis, with guides and resiliently deformable components that allow displacement and locking to prevent rattling, ensuring proper assembly and maintaining anti-noise functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If halved terminal accommodating members are used to maintain anti-noise function, then communication wires can remain twisted, but dimensional tolerances cause rattling between members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide ribs as intermediary elements that mediate between the two halved terminal accommodating members. These guide ribs provide a physical interface that maintains the twisted configuration of communication wires while preventing rattling through controlled contact surfaces, thus serving as a mediator that reconciles the anti-noise requirement with dimensional tolerance issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses rattling by introducing guiding portions that extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the uniting direction of the halved members. This dimensional approach allows the members to be displaced in one direction while maintaining stability in the uniting direction, effectively suppressing rattling without compromising the twisted wire configuration
2Stability of the object's composition
If guides are added to prevent rattling, then stability between members improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guide ribs with the terminal accommodating members themselves, forming an integrated structure where the guides are part of the members rather than separate components. This integration prevents rattling while avoiding the complexity of additional independent guiding mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The guide ribs serve multiple functions: they guide the assembly of halved members, prevent rattling through controlled contact, and maintain the twisted configuration of communication wires. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
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 solution effectively suppresses rattling and maintains the anti-noise function by ensuring secure and aligned assembly of terminal fittings, preventing interference and ensuring smooth connection with mating terminals.
Implementation Method 1
At least one resiliently deformable side plate may be cantilevered from the second guide substantially in the uniting direction with the first member
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal unit includes inner conductors (35) fixed to front ends of wires (38). A dielectric (10) has a holding member (11) and a cover (27) united in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the wires (38) and accommodates the inner conductors (35). Guide recesses (17) are formed on the holding member (11) and extend in a front-rear direction. Guide ribs (33) are formed on the cover (27) and can slide in contact with the guide recesses (17) to allow relative displacement of the holding member (11) and the cover (27) in the front-rear direction while keeping the holding member (11) and the cover (27) united. Guides (19) bring the holding member (11) and the cover (27) closer together in a uniting direction while displacing the cover (27) from a temporary assembled position to a proper assembled position in the front-rear direction.