Rotatable conductor conduit assembly for cover
By designing a rotatable cover, using rotatable conduit and locking features, the problem of inflexible orientation of the cover in the prior art requires special tools and conduits to be inflexible, and flexible orientation and stable locking of the conductor are achieved, and assembly efficiency and compatibility are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411401533.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-09-18
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing covers require special tools for fixed orientation, and the fixed catheter limits the orientation flexibility and adjustability of the conductor, difficult to adapt to various installation configurations and requirements, and lack the ability to securely lock the catheter, which may lead to unexpected movement or misalignment of the conductor.
A rotatable cover is designed, including a flange attached to the connector and a conductor conduit rotatably attached to the flange, the conduit can be secured in a number of radial orientations to ensure stability of the conduit by locking features and loop structure.
It realizes flexible orientation and stable locking of the conductor, reduces complexity and cost during the assembly process, and improves the overall efficiency and compatibility of the system.
Smart Images
Figure CN119812821A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Citation of Related Applications
[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Application No. 18 / 888,546, filed on September 18, 2024, entitled “ROTATABLE CONDUCTOR CONDUIT ASSEMBLY FOR COVER”, and claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 543,361, filed on October 10, 2023, entitled “ROTATABLE CABLE MANAGEMENT HOOD”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a cover for an elongated conductor connector, and in particular to a cover that is rotatable to several different orientations. Technical Background
[0004] Covers are used with electrical connectors to route elongated conductors, such as high-speed coaxial data transmission cables, out of the electrical connector in an oriented direction and to provide the conductor with an appropriate bend radius. The appropriate bend radius is particularly important for data transmission cables. Existing covers are manufactured to have a fixed orientation to the connector to which they are attached. This requires a dedicated tool to manufacture the orientation of each cover.
[0005] Previous approaches for accommodating and guiding elongated conductors typically involve fixed conduits or channels that are permanently attached to a connector or flange. These fixed conduits limit the flexibility and adjustability of the orientation of the conductors, making it difficult to accommodate a variety of installation configurations and requirements. In addition, fixed conduits may not provide optimal positioning for the conductors, resulting in potential inefficiencies or difficulties during installation and use.
[0006] Some existing solutions attempt to address the limitations of fixed conduits by incorporating swivel mechanisms or adjustable joints to allow limited rotational movement of the conduit relative to the connector. While these designs offer a degree of flexibility in positioning the conductor, they often lack the ability to securely lock the conduit in place once the desired orientation is achieved. This can result in the conductor accidentally moving or misaligning during operation, which could lead to performance issues or safety concerns.
[0007] Other conventional approaches focus on utilizing multiple discrete components or accessories to redirect or guide elongated conductors, such as clips, clamps, or brackets. However, these solutions can be cumbersome, complex, and may require additional assembly steps, increasing the overall complexity and cost of the system. Furthermore, these additional components may not provide seamless integration with the connector or flange, resulting in potential compatibility issues or inefficiencies in the overall assembly process. None of these approaches provide a comprehensive solution that incorporates the features described in the present disclosure. Summary of the invention
[0008] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover configured to accommodate and guide an elongated conductor, including a flange configured to be attached to a connector, and a conductor guide configured to be rotatably attached to the flange and fixed in one of a plurality of radial orientations relative to the flange. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a rotatable cover attached to an electrical connector according to some embodiments.
[0010] Figure 2 According to some embodiments Figure 1 An exploded view of a rotatable cover that is rotated to different orientations.
[0011] Figure 3 According to some embodiments Figure 1 Isometric view of a rotatable cover rotated to different orientations relative to an electrical connector.
[0012] Figure 4 According to some embodiments Figure 1 Isometric view of the flange of the rotatable cover.
[0013] Figure 5 is in an unassembled state according to some embodiments Figure 4 Top view of the flange.
[0014] Figure 6 According to some embodiments Figure 1 Isometric view of a conductor conduit with a rotatable cover.
[0015] Figure 7 is in an unassembled state according to some embodiments Figure 6 Top view of the conductor conduit.
[0016] Figures 8A-8D According to some embodiments Figure 1 End views of a rotatable cover that rotates to four different orthogonal orientations.
[0017] Fig. 8E According to some embodiments, the Figure 4 End view of the flange. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Figure 1 A non-limiting example of a rotatable cover (decorative cover or cable management cover) 100 that can have different radial orientations is shown in FIG. High-speed coaxial data transmission cables require an appropriate bending radius to maintain their designed transmission characteristics. The rotatable cover 100 shown can be used to provide appropriate bending radius, volume, and exit orientation for multiple data transmission cables leaving an electrical connector.
[0019] like Figure 2 As shown in the exploded view of , the cover 100 includes a flange 202 and an angled conductor conduit 204, the flange 202 being configured to be attached to an electrical connector (not shown), the angled conductor conduit being referred to hereinafter as the conduit 204, the conduit 204 being rotatably attached to the flange 202. Figure 1 The conduit 204 is shown in a 6 o'clock orientation relative to the flange 202, and Figure 3 The conduit 204 is shown in a 3 o'clock orientation relative to the flange 202 .
[0020] like Figure 4 As shown, the flange 202 has a base 402 that is configured to be fixed to the electrical connector by a plurality of attachment features 404 (e.g., latch locking arms) that engage with the housing of the electrical connector. The flange 202 also includes a hollow cylindrical collar 406 that is configured to accommodate the data transmission cable when the data transmission cable leaves the electrical connector. The free end 408 of the collar 406 has a circumferential ridge 410 that engages with a retention feature in the conduit 204 to rotatably retain the conduit 204 to the flange 202. The collar 406 also defines a plurality of grooves 412 that are configured to engage with alignment features of the conduit 204 to align the conduit 204 in a desired orientation relative to the flange 202. The grooves 412 shown here are rectangular grooves that have a circular or rounded bottom surface arranged around the collar 406 and are spaced at substantially 90° intervals around the collar 406. As used herein, the term "substantially 90°" refers to 90°±15°. Alternative embodiments of the flange are contemplated in which the slots have different slots and / or different spacing between the slots. For example, an alternative slot may be a rectangular hole extending through the collar 406.
[0021] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the flange 202 has two halves 414 connected by a living hinge 416. The flange 202 also has corresponding locking features 418 on each half 414, which are configured to secure the flange 202 around the data transmission cable. The flange 202 is divided into two halves 414, thereby allowing the flange 202 to be placed on the data transmission cable and attached to the electrical connector after the data transmission cable is secured in the electrical connector. In an alternative embodiment, the collar can be an integral design.
[0022] like Figure 6As shown, the alignment features of the catheter 204 include a pair of locking arms 602 arranged generally opposite to each other, for example, radially offset by 180°±10°. One end of the locking arm 602 has a latch 604, which engages with the slot 412 in the collar 406. In this example, the locking arm 602 is attached to the catheter 204 by a pair of flexible beams 620, which enable the latch 604 to be disengaged from the slot 412 by pressing the end of the locking arm 602 opposite the latch 604. In an alternative embodiment of the catheter, the locking arm can be cantilevered.
[0023] The retention feature of the conduit 204 is a plurality of grooves 606 in an inner surface 608 of the conduit 204 , wherein the ridges 410 of the collar 406 are received in the grooves 406 in a “tongue and groove” arrangement, thereby rotatably securing the conduit 204 to the flange 202 .
[0024] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the conduit 204 has two halves 610 connected by a living hinge 612. The conduit 204 also has a corresponding locking feature 614 on each of the two halves 610, which is configured to secure the conduit 204 around the data transmission cable and to the flange 202. The conduit 204 is divided into two halves 610, allowing the conduit 204 to be placed on the data transmission cable and attached to the flange 202 after the data transmission cable is secured in the electrical connector. In alternative embodiments, the two halves 610 can be separate and secured to each other by the locking features 614 or other means.
[0025] The conduit 204 has a generally octagonal cross section that provides four flat sides 616, 618, and pairs of four flat sides 616, 618 disposed opposite each other. The four flat sides 616, 618 allow easier and better alignment of the cantilever 602 with the slot 412 in the collar 406, and easier and better alignment of the corresponding locking features 614.
[0026] The catheter 204 may be oriented such as Fig. 8A The 12 o'clock position shown in Figure 8B At the 3 o'clock position shown in Figure 8C 6 o'clock position shown in or Fig.8D 9 o'clock position as shown in the figure. Fig. 8E As shown in , flange 202 can be used alone to provide a cover with a shorter straight conduit.
[0027] The rotatability of the conduit 204 relative to the flange 202 of the cover 100 provides the benefit of enabling the assembly operator to reposition the flange during assembly operations to aid installation and proper cable routing. The rotatable cover 100 proposed herein allows two components (flange 202, conduit 204) to be replaced with up to five separate fixed cover components.
[0028] Although the conduit 204 of the cover 100 presented herein is bent into a right angle shape, other embodiments of the conduit are contemplated wherein the conduit is bent at any angle between 0-180°.
[0029] Although the conduits 204 of the cover 100 presented herein are configured to be disposed in one of several predetermined orientations relative to the flange 202, other embodiments of the cover are contemplated in which the conduits are disposed in any orientation relative to the flange and are not fixed in any particular orientation.
[0030] Although the examples presented herein are covers for electrical connectors, alternative embodiments of covers are envisioned that are configured for use with fiber optic cables, pneumatic conduits, hydraulic conduits, or a combination of any of these types of conductors.
[0031] Discussion of possible implementations
[0032] In certain aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover configured to accommodate and guide an elongated conductor, comprising: a flange configured to be attached to a connector; and a conductor conduit configured to be rotatably attached to the flange and configured to be fixed relative to the flange in one of a plurality of radial orientations.
[0033] The cover of the previous paragraph can optionally, additionally and / or alternatively include any one or more of the following features / steps, configurations and / or additional components.
[0034] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein the conductor conduit and the flange include a locking feature configured to secure the conductor conduit relative to the flange in one of a plurality of radial orientations.
[0035] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein the flange defines a cylindrical collar and the conductor conduit defines a collar opening configured to receive the collar.
[0036] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein a free end of a collar defines a circumferential ridge that is received in a plurality of grooves in an inner surface of a conductor conduit.
[0037] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein a locking feature includes a flexible locking arm extending from a connector conduit, the flexible locking arm defining a latch on a free end thereof, and wherein the locking feature further includes a hole defined by a collar and configured to receive the latch.
[0038] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein a conductor conduit includes a curved portion configured to place an outlet opening of the conductor conduit in an orientation that is non-parallel to a collar opening.
[0039] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein a collar opening has a first pair of surfaces arranged generally parallel to each other and a second pair of surfaces arranged generally parallel, the first pair of surfaces being arranged perpendicular to the second pair of surfaces.
[0040] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein a collar opening has a curved surface between each of a first pair of surfaces and a second pair of surfaces.
[0041] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein one of the first pair of surfaces defines a flexible locking arm.
[0042] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein a collar defines a plurality of apertures arranged about the collar and spaced apart to provide one of a plurality of radial orientations of a conductor conduit relative to a flange.
[0043] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein a collar defines four holes in a plurality of holes spaced 90° apart from one another.
[0044] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein a conductor conduit defines a plurality of locking arms disposed about the conductor conduit and spaced apart to provide one of a plurality of radial orientations of the conductor conduit relative to a flange.
[0045] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein the conductor conduit defines a pair of locking arms, wherein the latches on the pair of locking arms are spaced 180° apart from each other.
[0046] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein a conductor conduit includes two conduit halves connected by a hinge.
[0047] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein the hinge comprises a living hinge integrally formed with two conduit halves.
[0048] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein the two conduit halves are further connected by a locking ring extending from one of the two conduit halves and engaging with a locking tab on the other of the two conduit halves, with a hinge disposed between the locking ring and the locking tab.
[0049] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover in which two conduit halves include a plurality of hinges, a plurality of locking rings, and a plurality of locking tabs.
[0050] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein a flange includes two flange halves connected by a hinge.
[0051] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein the hinge comprises a living hinge integrally formed with two flange halves.
[0052] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a cover wherein the two flange halves are further connected by a locking ring extending from one of the two flange halves and engaging with a locking tab on the other of the two flange halves, with a hinge disposed between the locking ring and the locking tab.
[0053] Although the present invention is described with reference to (one or more) exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made without departing from the basic scope of the present invention to adapt specific circumstances or materials to the teachings of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed (one or more) embodiments, but includes all embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.
[0054] As used herein, “one or more” includes a function performed by one element, a function performed by more than one element, such as in a distributed fashion, several functions performed by one element, several functions performed by several elements, or any combination of the above.
[0055] It should also be understood that, although in some cases, the terms first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements in this article, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments, the first contact may be referred to as the second contact, and similarly, the second contact may be referred to as the first contact. Both the first contact and the second contact are contacts, but they are not identical contacts.
[0056] The terms used in the description of the various embodiments herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms and "and / or" used herein refer to and include any and all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items. "It should also be understood that the terms "comprising", "comprising", "including" and / or "comprising" used in this specification specifically refer to the presence of the stated features, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their combinations.
[0057] As used herein, the term "if" is optionally interpreted as "when" or "upon" or "in response to determining" or "in response to detecting," depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase "if it is determined" or "if "[the condition or event] is detected" is optionally interpreted to mean "upon determining..." or "in response to determining" or "upon detecting [the condition or event]" or "in response to detecting [the condition or event]," depending on the context.
[0058] In addition, although the terms of regulations or orientations may be used herein, these elements should not be limited by these terms. Unless otherwise specified, all regulations or orientations are used to distinguish one element from another element, and unless otherwise specified, do not represent any particular order, order of operation, direction or orientation.
Claims
1. A cover (100) configured to accommodate and guide an elongated conductor, comprising: a flange (202) configured to be attached to a connector; as well as A conductor conduit (204) is configured to be rotatably attached to the flange (202) and configured to be fixed relative to the flange (202) in one of a plurality of radial orientations.
2. The cover (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductor conduit (204) and the flange (202) include locking features (404) configured to secure the conductor conduit (204) in one of the plurality of radial orientations relative to the flange (202).
3. The cover (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flange (202) defines a cylindrical collar (406), and the conductor conduit (204) defines a collar opening configured to receive the collar (406).
4. The cover (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The free end (408) of the collar (406) defines a circumferential ridge (410) that is received in a plurality of grooves (606) in an inner surface (608) of the conductor conduit (204).
5. The cover (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The locking feature (404) includes a flexible locking arm (620) extending from the conductor conduit (204), the flexible locking arm (620) defining a latch (604) on a free end (408) thereof, and wherein the locking feature (404) further includes a hole (412) defined by the collar (406), the hole (412) being configured to receive the latch (604).
6. The cover (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The collar opening has a first pair of surfaces (618) arranged generally parallel to each other and a second pair of surfaces (616) arranged generally parallel to each other, the first pair of surfaces (618) being arranged perpendicular to the second pair of surfaces (616).
7. The cover (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The collar opening has a curved surface between each of the first pair of surfaces (618) and the second pair of surfaces (616).
8. The cover (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that: One of the first pair of surfaces (618) defines the flexible locking arm (602).
9. The cover (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The collar (406) defines a plurality of holes (412) arranged about the collar and spaced apart to provide one of the plurality of radial orientations of the conductor conduit (204) relative to the flange (202).
10. The cover (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The collar (406) defines four holes in the plurality of holes (412) spaced 90 degrees from each other.
11. The cover (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The conductor conduit (204) defines a plurality of locking arms (602) arranged about the conductor conduit (204) and spaced apart to provide one of the plurality of radial orientations of the conductor conduit (204) relative to the flange (202).
12. The cover (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that The conductor conduit (204) defines a pair of locking arms (602), and the latches (604) on the pair of locking arms (602) are spaced 180 degrees from each other.
13. The cover (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The conductor conduit (204) includes a curved portion configured to position an outlet opening of the conductor conduit (204) in a non-parallel orientation with respect to the collar opening.
14. The cover (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductor conduit (204) comprises two conduit (204) halves, wherein the two conduit halves (610) are connected by a hinge (612).
15. The cover (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that The hinge (612) comprises a living hinge integrally formed with the two catheter halves (610).
16. The cover (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that The two catheter (204) halves are also connected by a locking ring (614), which extends from one of the two catheter halves (610) and engages with a locking plate (702) on the other of the two catheter halves (610), and the hinge (612) is arranged between the locking ring (614) and the locking plate (702).
17. The cover (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that The two catheter (204) halves include a plurality of hinges (612), a plurality of locking rings (614), and a plurality of locking tabs (702).
18. The cover (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The flange (202) includes two flange halves (414) connected by a hinge (416).
19. The cover (100) according to claim 18, characterized in that The hinge (416) comprises a living hinge integrally formed with the two flange halves (414).
20. The cover (100) according to claim 18, characterized in that The two flange (202) halves are also connected by a locking ring (418), which extends from one of the two flange halves (414) and engages with a locking plate (418) on the other of the two catheter halves (416), and the hinge (416) is arranged between the locking ring (418) and the locking plate (418).