Triangular Terminal Socket Geometry to Prevent Upside-Down Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal sockets for electrical terminal systems are limited by their size and risk of incorrect upside-down insertion due to symmetric shapes, which complicates miniaturization and increases manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A terminal socket with a triangularly shaped external and hollow space, eliminating twofold rotational symmetry, allowing foolproof insertion without additional polarizing features, and featuring a spring element and bulges for improved contact and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a symmetric shape is used for the terminal socket, then manufacturing is simpler, but incorrect upside-down insertion cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by giving the terminal socket a triangular cross-sectional shape instead of a symmetric shape. This asymmetric geometry allows the socket to be inserted only in the correct orientation, preventing upside-down insertion. The triangular shape maintains manufacturing simplicity while solving the reliability issue of incorrect insertion.
2Reliability
If additional polarizing features are added to prevent incorrect insertion, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the polarizing feature with the basic structural shape of the terminal socket. Instead of adding separate polarizing elements, the triangular cross-section itself serves as both the structural form and the polarizing mechanism. This integration prevents incorrect insertion without increasing device complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the terminal socket size is reduced for miniaturization, then productivity and space efficiency improve, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The triangular asymmetric shape enables miniaturization while maintaining functional integrity. The geometric asymmetry provides inherent polarizing features that guide correct insertion even at reduced sizes, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision requirements at acceptable levels despite size reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal socket for an electrical terminal system configured to be mated with a terminal pin along a mating direction includes a wiring portion and an electrical contacting portion having a main body with a hollow space for receiving the mating terminal pin, wherein the main body has an external shape not showing a twofold rotational symmetry in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction, and in that the hollow space does not show a twofold rotational symmetry in said plane, or in that the main body has an external shape comprising a triangularly shaped portion, in particular triangularly shaped in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction. A terminal system uses the terminal socket and a terminal pin and a connector uses the terminal sockets in a housing.