Vented Electrical Terminal Block Coating Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical terminal block designs make it challenging to access and coat solder between the terminal block and the circuit board effectively, which can lead to corrosion and wear issues due to limited accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A vented terminal block design with a cavity and apertures that allows for the introduction of a sealing fluid, which vents cavity fluids, preventing gas bubbles and facilitating the application of protective coatings to the solder, while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a terminal block is used to connect electrical terminals to a circuit board, then electrical connections are established, but access to solder between the terminal block and circuit board is limited, making it difficult to apply protective coatings
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal block body is segmented with multiple apertures that divide the internal cavity into accessible regions. These apertures allow coating material to be introduced into the cavity between the terminal block and circuit board, enabling direct access to solder joints that would otherwise be inaccessible through the solid terminal block structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the terminal block structure is solid to maintain structural integrity, then mechanical strength is maintained, but coating material cannot reach the solder between the terminal block and circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal block structure maintains solid construction in most areas to preserve mechanical strength, but incorporates localized apertures in specific regions where coating access is needed. This allows the structure to remain predominantly intact while providing targeted access points for coating material to reach the solder joints.
3Productivity
If apertures are added to the terminal block to allow coating access, then coating application is facilitated, but the terminal block structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Small aperture features are extracted from the terminal block body to create access channels. These apertures are integrated into the molding process, removing minimal material while creating effective pathways for coating material to reach the cavity and solder joints efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
In examples of the present disclosure, a vented electrical terminal block may include a body that may be configured to support a plurality of electrical terminals In examples, the body may include a plurality of side walls that may extend from the body. The body may include a plurality of apertures extending through the body. A cavity may be defined by an underside of the body. The cavity may receive a cavity fluid. In examples, at least one side wall may include an opening for receiving a sealing fluid, and apertures may be configured to vent said cavity fluid from the cavity when sealing fluid is introduced into the cavity via the opening.