System and method for applying a disposable wrap on a vehicle connector

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system and method for applying a disposable wrap on a vehicle connector. An apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing, a cover storage device, a retractable guide, and a heating element. The housing includes an elongated opening configured to receive an external object and enable the external object to slide in an interior portion of the housing. A cover storage device stores and dispenses a flexible cover. A retractable guide is disposed in the housing and configured to retractably move from a closed position to an open position and then return to the closed position when an external object slides in the housing interior portion to contact the retractable guide. When the retractable guide is moved from the closed position to the open position, the cover storage device dispenses a flexible cover covering the outer surface of the external object. The heating element heats the flexible cover on the outer surface of the external object such that the flexible cover closes the external object.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to systems and methods for applying a disposable protective wrapping to electrical distribution system (EDS) harness connectors in a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Modern vehicles typically include multiple electrical distribution system (EDS) harnesses consisting of wires, fuses, connectors, etc. During the vehicle manufacturing or assembly process, the EDS harnesses need to be transported / shipped from their source location (e.g., from the manufacturing plant) to the assembly line where the EDS harnesses are installed in various vehicle components.

[0003] When transporting EDS harnesses, they may be exposed to dust, debris, moisture, and / or other contaminants.

[0004] A common method for protecting connectors is to apply caps to them, which protect them from contaminants during transport. While caps do protect connectors from contaminants, their use is costly. Furthermore, significant effort is required to install the caps on the connectors before shipping and to remove them from the connectors after shipping (e.g., at the assembly line). Additionally, improper installation of the caps can allow contaminants to enter. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure describes a device that allows a user to conveniently cover or wrap vehicle components with a disposable flexible cover to protect them from contaminants during transport (e.g., from the manufacturing plant to the assembly line). In an exemplary aspect, the vehicle component may be an electrical distribution system (EDS) wiring harness connector (“connector”), and the flexible cover may be a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film. The device may be wall-mounted or handheld and may be lightweight, allowing the user to easily and quickly wrap the PVC film around the connector.

[0006] In some aspects, the device may include multiple components, including but not limited to a housing, a PVC membrane bundle, a pair of opposing retractable guide plates, one or more cutters, one or more heating elements, etc. The housing may be formed into a cube and may include a hollow internal portion. The housing may also include an elongated opening along its length on the front wall of the housing.

[0007] The PVC membrane bundle may be positioned near the top portion of the housing above the pair of opposing retractable guide plates. The PVC membrane bundle may be configured to distribute the PVC film within an internal portion of the housing, the PVC film serving to enclose the connector. Each retractable guide plate may be a concave plate with a curved inner surface and may be configured to retractably move from a closed position (which may be the default position of the guide plate) to an open position. In some aspects, the distal ends of the opposing retractable guide plates may be positioned close to each other in the closed position and far apart from each other in the open position.

[0008] In one exemplary aspect, the PVC film dispensed from the PVC film bundle can enclose a retractable guide plate and be connected at the distal end of the guide plate to form a "cup-shaped" structure of the film near the distal end of the guide plate. In another exemplary aspect, the PVC film dispensed from the PVC film bundle can be disposed between the retractable guide plates. A cutter can be disposed below the distal end of the guide plate in the housing interior portion (and below the cup-shaped structure of the film) and configured to cut the PVC film. Furthermore, a heating element can be disposed below the cutter in the housing interior portion and configured to heat the PVC film.

[0009] During operation, when the user wishes to wrap the connector with a PVC membrane, the user inserts the connector into the top portion of the housing interior near the proximal end of the guide plate through an elongated opening. The user then slides the connector "down" within the housing interior through the elongated opening. This downward sliding motion causes the connector to contact and push against the curved inner surface of the guide plate, moving the guide plate from a closed position to an open position. Furthermore, as the guide plate moves to the open position, further downward sliding of the connector pushes and "stretches" the cup-shaped structure of the membrane beneath the distal end of the guide plate.

[0010] As the user continues to slide the connector downwards within the housing, the connector can move away from the distal end of the guide plate and can be positioned below the cutter. At this stage, the cutter can cut the PVC film above the connector (i.e., the "stretched" portion of the PVC above the connector). As the connector slides further downwards, a heating element heats the PVC film positioned on the connector, causing the PVC film to shrink and securely and tightly wrap around the outer surface of the connector. When the connector reaches near the bottom of the housing, the user can remove the connector (wrapped in the PVC film) from the housing's interior through a narrow opening.

[0011] In this way, the device allows the user to conveniently wrap the connector with PVC film by simply sliding the connector down inside the housing via a narrow opening.

[0012] This disclosure provides a device that allows users to easily and quickly wrap connectors with a disposable protective film (e.g., PVC film). The device can be wall-mounted or handheld, enabling easy operation by the user. Furthermore, the device eliminates the need for caps to protect connectors from contamination during transport, significantly saving resources and time required for installing such caps.

[0013] These and other advantages of this disclosure are provided in detail herein. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Specific embodiments are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals may be used to indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and / or components other than those shown in the drawings, and some elements and / or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and / or components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, singular and plural terms can be used interchangeably depending on the context.

[0015] Figure 1 A view is depicted of the electrical distribution system (EDS) harness connector of a vehicle in an unpacked and wrapped state, according to this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2 An example device for covering / wrapping a connector with a flexible cover, according to this disclosure, is depicted.

[0017] Figure 3 Depicting according to this disclosure Figure 2 An exploded view of the device.

[0018] Figure 4 The connector according to this disclosure is described in Figure 2 A sliding view in the device.

[0019] Figure 5 Depicting according to this disclosure Figure 2 A view of a device with a clamp cutting a flexible covering.

[0020] Figure 6 Depicting the user from according to this disclosure Figure 2 Remove the view of the connector that is in a packaged state in the device.

[0021] Figure 7 Depicting from the present disclosure Figure 2 A view of a connector that has been removed from the device and is in a packaged state.

[0022] Figure 8 A flowchart depicts an example method of covering a connector with a flexible covering according to this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to be limiting.

[0024] Figure 1 Views are depicted of a vehicle's electrical distribution system (EDS) wiring harness connector 100 (or connector 100) in an undone and wrapped state according to this disclosure. Specifically, view 102 depicts the connector 100 in an undone state, and view 104 depicts the connector 100 wrapped or covered by a flexible cover 106.

[0025] Modern vehicles are known to include multiple EDS wiring harnesses, which in turn include multiple components, including but not limited to wires 108, one or more connectors (e.g., connector 100), fuses, junction boxes (not shown), etc. When the wiring harnesses are transported or shipped (e.g., from their manufacturing plant to a vehicle assembly line), the EDS wiring harnesses are easily exposed to contaminants. To protect wiring harness components (e.g., connector 100) from the adverse effects of contaminants during transport, this disclosure discloses covering / wrapping connector 100 with a flexible cover 106, which protects connector 100 from exposure to any unwanted materials (e.g., dust, debris, moisture, etc.). The flexible cover 106 is easy to install / wrap onto connector 100 (e.g., at the manufacturing plant or from where connector 100 is transported) and easy to remove / unwrap from connector 100 (e.g., at the assembly line where the EDS wiring harness is installed in one or more vehicle components).

[0026] Although the following description is given in the context of covering / wrapping connector 100 with flexible cover 106 to protect connector 100 from contaminants during transport, this disclosure is not limited to such aspects. Without departing from the scope of this disclosure (and the device described below), this disclosure can be applied to covering / wrapping any small vehicle component with flexible cover 106 to protect the component from contaminants during transport.

[0027] In some aspects, the flexible covering 106 may be a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film having a thickness in the range of 25 micrometers to 30 micrometers. In an exemplary aspect, the flexible covering 106 has a thickness of 28 micrometers and is non-flammable. Furthermore, the flexible covering 106 may be shrinkable (e.g., shrinkable to 4%-8% of its area when heated) and flexible (e.g., able to be bent or molded / twisted based on the shape of the object over which the flexible covering 106 is applied / wrapped).

[0028] To enable users to conveniently and efficiently cover / wrap connector 100 with flexible cover 106, this disclosure provides an example device 200 configured to automatically cover / wrap connector 100 with flexible cover 106. The following is in conjunction with... Figure 2 Describe the structural details and functionality of the device.

[0029] Figure 2 A device 200 for covering / wrapping a connector 100 with a flexible cover 106 is depicted according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 Combining Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 To describe. Figure 3 An exploded view of the device is depicted, and Figures 4-6 It describes what can be done by the equipment operator / user 602 ( Figure 6 (As shown in the figure) Example view of the steps achieved by using device 200 to cover connector 100 with flexible cover 106.

[0030] Device 200 can be a wall-mounted or handheld device, which can be used by user 602 to conveniently cover / wrap small vehicle parts (e.g., connector 100) with flexible cover 106. By using device 200, user 602 can cover / wrap connector 100 with flexible cover 106 in three to five seconds, thus ensuring a fast wrapping process. Alternatively (not shown), device 200 may not require user 602 to operate it; instead, a robotic arm can use device 200 to automatically wrap / cover connector 100 with flexible cover 106.

[0031] In some aspects, the device 200 may include multiple components, including but not limited to a housing 202, a cover storage device 204, a storage device cover 206, a first retractable guide plate 208 (or a first retractable guide member 208), a second retractable guide plate 210 (or a second retractable guide member 210), a first cutter 212a, a second cutter 212b, one or more heating elements 214, etc.

[0032] The housing 202 may be made of aluminum or any other similar metal and has a cubic shape with a hollow interior portion. Furthermore, the housing 202 may have components (not shown) for mounting the housing 202 to a wall. As an add-on or alternative, the housing 202 may be small in size (e.g., in the range of 8-14 inches in height and 4-6 inches in width) and lightweight, which allows the user 602 to easily operate the handheld device 200. Additionally, in some aspects, the front wall / part of the housing (which faces away from the wall on which the housing 202 is mounted) may include an elongated opening 216, which may be configured to receive an external object (e.g., connector 100 or any other small vehicle component wrapped by the flexible cover 106) and allow the external object / connector 100 to slide within the hollow interior portion of the housing. For example, user 602 can insert connector 100 into the inner portion of the housing via the top portion / part of the elongated opening, then slide connector 100 along the length of the elongated opening toward the bottom portion of the housing within the inner portion of the housing, and finally remove connector 100 from the inner portion of the housing via the bottom portion / part of the elongated opening.

[0033] In some aspects, the elongated opening 216 (and therefore the front wall of the housing) may include a first portion "P1", a second portion "P2" and a third portion "P3" disposed along the length of the elongated opening, such as Figure 2 As shown in the diagram. The second portion "P2" may be disposed between the first portion "P1" and the third portion "P3". Furthermore, the first portion "P1" may be disposed near the top portion of the housing, and the third portion "P3" may be disposed near the bottom portion of the housing. In an exemplary aspect, user 602 may insert connector 100 into the inner portion of the housing via the first portion "P1", allowing connector 100 to slide within the inner portion of the housing via the first portion "P1", the second portion "P2", and the third portion "P3", and then remove connector 100 from the inner portion of the housing via the third portion "P3". In some aspects, the width of the first portion "P1" and the third portion "P3" may be greater than the width of the second portion "P2" to allow user 602 to easily insert / remove connector 100 into / from the inner portion of the housing via the first portion "P1" and the third portion "P3". For example, the widths of the first portion "P1" and the third portion "P3" can be in the range of 60%-80% of the width of the front wall of the housing, and the width of the second portion "P2" can be in the range of 40%-60% of the width of the front wall of the housing. Alternatively (not shown), the width of the second portion "P2" can also be in the range of 60%-80% of the width of the front wall of the housing, and can be equal to the widths of the first portion "P1" and the third portion "P3".

[0034] A cover storage device 204 may be disposed within the housing 202, accessible from the top portion of the housing. The cover storage device 204 may be configured to store and dispense the flexible cover 106 within an internal portion of the housing. In an exemplary aspect, when the flexible cover 106 is a PVC film (as described above)... Figure 1 In the case described above, the covering storage device 204 can be a bundle of PVC film. The storage device cover 206 can be configured to enclose the covering storage device 204 / PVC film bundle and protect the covering storage device 204 from the influence of the surrounding environment.

[0035] The cover storage device 204 may be disposed above the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 within the housing 202. In some aspects, the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 may be disposed within an internal portion of the housing and may have the same structure and be made of the same material (which may be, for example, plastic, metal, etc.). In an exemplary aspect, the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 are shaped as curved plates (e.g., concave plates), which may have a smaller width at the top portion of the guide and a larger width at the bottom portion of the guide, such as... Figure 3 As shown. Alternatively (not shown), the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 may have a consistent / identical width over the entire guide length.

[0036] The first retractable guide 208 may include a first proximal / proximal edge 302 and a first distal / distal edge 304 (e.g. Figure 3 (As shown), and the second retractable guide 210 may include a second proximal / proximal edge 306 and a second distal / distal edge 308. The widths of the first proximal edge 302 and the second proximal edge 306 may be smaller than the widths of the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308. Furthermore, the first proximal edge 302 and the second proximal edge 306 may be disposed close to the top portion of the housing (i.e., close to the cover storage device 204), and the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308 may be disposed away from the top portion of the housing.

[0037] The first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 can be configured such that when an object (e.g., connector 100) travels along the inner curved surfaces of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 (in... Figure 3As shown in the diagram (represented by surface "I") is pushed "down", it pivots / axially rotates about the corresponding first proximal edge 302 and second proximal edge 306. Specifically, the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 are configured to retractably move from the corresponding first closed position and second closed position to a first open position and a second open position when the connector 100 slides down along the inner portion of the housing toward the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308, thereby contacting the inner curved surfaces of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210.

[0038] In some respects, when the first retractable guide 208 is in the first closed position and the second retractable guide 210 is in the second closed position, the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308 can be positioned close to each other, such as... Figure 2 As shown. Specifically, in the first closed position and the second closed position, the gap or distance between the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308 can be very small (e.g., approaching zero). In an exemplary aspect, the first closed position and the second closed position can be the default positions of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210. Furthermore, when the first retractable guide 208 is in the first open position and the second retractable guide 210 is in the second open position, the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308 can be positioned away from each other, such as... Figure 4 As shown. Specifically, when user 602 (or robotic arm) slides connector 100 downward within the housing interior, connector body can contact and push the inner curved surfaces of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210, thereby moving the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308 away from each other (and thus moving the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 to their respective first open and second open positions), as... Figure 4 As shown.

[0039] Furthermore, since the first closed position and the second closed position are the default positions of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210, when the connector 110 "leaves" the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 and slides within the housing portion, the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 can return to their respective first closed position and second closed position, as shown below. Figure 5As shown. Specifically, when the user 602 (or robotic arm) continues to slide the connector 110 downwards within the housing portion while the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 are in the first open position and the second open position (as described above), the connector 100 can disengage from the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210, and when the connector 100 has moved past the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308, the connector body can cease contacting the inner curved surfaces of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210. At this point, the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 can automatically (around the first proximal edge 302 and the second proximal edge 306) rotate back to their respective first closed position and second closed position. In some aspects, the first proximal edge 302 and the second proximal edge 306 may include a spring-based mechanism that enables the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 to return to their respective first closed position and second closed position when the connector 100 leaves the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 and the connector body cease contact with their inner curved surfaces.

[0040] In some respects, the inner curved surfaces of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 face each other, and the outer curved surfaces of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 (in...) Figure 3 The surface (shown as "E") is disposed opposite to the inner curved surface. In an exemplary aspect, the flexible cover 106 (dispensed from the cover storage device 204) can form a "cup-shaped" structure around the outer curved surface and the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308. In another exemplary aspect, the flexible cover can form a cup-shaped structure between the inner curved surface and the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308, as shown in the image. Figure 2As shown. In some aspects, the flexible cover 106 dispensed from the cover storage device 204 may contact portions of the inner edges 310 and inner curved surfaces of the first and second retractable guides 208. The inner edges 310 may be those elongated edges of the first and second retractable guides 208 that are close to (and facing) the rear wall / surface of the housing (which may be wall-mounted) and may be positioned opposite the outer edge 312. The outer edge 312 may be those elongated edges of the first and second retractable guides 208 that are close to (and facing) the elongated opening 216. Alternatively, the flexible cover 106 may not contact the inner edges 310 and may only contact portions of the inner curved surfaces of the first and second retractable guides 208. Furthermore, the flexible cover 106 may extend from the inner curved surfaces of the first and second retractable guides 208 toward the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308. A flexible cover 106 extending from the inner curved surfaces of the first and second retractable guides 208 connects at the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308 to form a cup-shaped structure, such as Figure 2 As shown.

[0041] When user 602 slides connector 100 downward within the housing interior and connector body contacts the first and second distal edges 304 (to move them to their respective first and second open positions), the bottom surface of connector body can approach the first and second distal edges 304 and “push downward” the cup-shaped structure of flexible cover 106, as... Figure 4As shown. When the bottom surface of the connector body pushes the cup-shaped structure of the flexible cover downward, the cup-shaped structure of the flexible cover can cover or wrap around the outer surface of the connector body, thereby wrapping the bottom surface of the connector body and also the sidewalls of the connector body. Since the cup-shaped structure of the flexible cover is pushed downward by the connector body when the connector 100 slides downward in the inner portion of the housing, the flexible cover 106 may experience a "pull," which may cause the cover storage device 204 to dispense additional flexible cover 106 to contact the inner edges 310 and / or inner curved surfaces of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210. In this way, when the user 602 slides the connector 100 downward in the inner portion of the housing (when the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 are in their respective first open and second open positions), the cover storage device 204 dispenses the flexible cover 106, thereby pushing the connector body downward into the cup-shaped structure of the flexible cover, which in turn causes the cover storage device 204 (i.e., the PVC film bundle) to dispense additional flexible cover 106 (i.e., PVC film) under the influence of the “pull” experienced by the flexible cover 106.

[0042] In some respects, the first cutter 212a and the second cutter 212b (collectively referred to as cutter 212) can be close to and disposed below the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308. The cutter 212 can be configured to approach the connector 100 to cut the flexible cover 106 when the connector 100 “departs” from the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 (i.e., when the connector body ceases contact with the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210) and the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 return to their respective first closed position and second closed position, as... Figure 5 As shown. In some aspects, when user 602 slides connector 100 downward within the housing portion and connector 100 disengages from the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210, the cup-shaped structure of the flexible cover can enclose the bottom surface and sidewalls of the connector body, as described above. At this time, cutter 212 can cut the flexible cover 106 that may exist between connector 100 (e.g., at the top surface of connector) and the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308.

[0043] Additionally, the cutter 212 may include a built-in heater that heats the flexible cover 106 when it is cut by the cutter 212. Due to the heating of the flexible cover, the flexible cover 106 under the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308 may be "gelled" or joined together to form the aforementioned cup-shaped structure. Furthermore, the heating of the flexible cover may also gel or join the flexible cover 106 on the top surface of the connector, thereby completely enclosing the top surface of the connector with the flexible cover 106. In this way, the bottom surface, sidewalls, and top surface of the connector body can be enclosed by the flexible cover 106.

[0044] In an exemplary aspect, the cutter 212 can be configured to move between an inactive state and an active state. In the inactive state, the cutter 212 can be configured laterally parallel to the rear wall of the housing or spaced apart from each other, such as... Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown. In this state, the cutters 212 can be positioned far apart from each other and are not configured to cut the flexible cover 106. In some aspects, the cutters 212 can be positioned far apart from each other in the inactive state to provide a "channel" for the connector 100 to slide downward along the interior portion of the housing without any obstruction or interruption. In the active state, the cutters 212 can be configured in an extension perpendicular to the rear wall of the housing, as shown. Figure 5 As shown. In this state, the cutters 212 can face each other and are configured to “cut” (and heat) a flexible cover 106 that can exist between the two cutters 212a, 212b.

[0045] In some respects, the default position of the cutter can be an inactive state. The cutter 212 can be moved from an inactive state to an active state based on user input. For example, when the connector 100 disengages from the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 as described above, the user 602 can manually move the cutter 212 from an inactive state to an active state to allow the cutter 212 to cut the flexible cover 106. Additionally or alternatively, the cutter 212 (or device 200) may include one or more sensors (e.g., motion sensors or proximity sensors, not shown) that can be configured to detect movement of the connector within the housing portion when the connector 100 disengages from and / or ceases contact with the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210. In this configuration, the cutter 212 can automatically move from an inactive state to an active state and cut the flexible cover 106 based on input captured and obtained from the sensor (e.g., when the input indicates that the connector 100 has moved away from the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 or has moved past the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308).

[0046] As described above, device 200 may further include heating element 214. Heating element 214 may be disposed in the interior portion of the housing below or under the first distal edge 304 and the second distal edge 308. In an exemplary aspect, heating element 214 is disposed below or under cutter 212. After connector 100 has moved away from the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 and cutter 212 has cut the flexible cover 106 above connector 100, connector 100 may pass through the area / volume heated by heating element 214 as user 602 continues to slide connector 100 in the interior portion of the housing. The heat generated by heating element 214 can cause the flexible cover 106 enclosing connector 100 to contract, thereby causing the flexible cover 106 to securely and tightly enclose connector 100. In this way, heating element 214 heats the flexible cover 106 disposed on the outer surface of connector body to securely and tightly enclose / enclose connector 100.

[0047] In operation, the user 602 or the robotic arm can first insert the connector 100 into the inner portion of the housing via the first portion "P1" of the elongated opening. The user 602 can then slide the connector 100 downwards within the inner portion of the housing, causing the connector 100 to contact and push the inner curved surfaces of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210, which in turn moves the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 from their respective first closed and second closed positions to a first open and a second open position. Specifically, as the user 602 pushes the connector 100 downwards along the inner curved surfaces of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210, the connector 100 can move the first distal end 304 and the second distal end 308 away from each other, as described above and as... Figure 4 As shown. Furthermore, during this stage, the cup-shaped structure of the flexible cover 106 on the inner curved surface of the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210, as well as the flexible cover below the first distal end 304 and the second distal end 308, can be stretched under the downward pushing force of the connector.

[0048] When connector 100 is removed from the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210, or positioned below the first distal end 304 and the second distal end 308, cutter 212 can cut the flexible cover 106 above connector 100, such as Figure 5 As shown. At this stage, the first retractable guide 208 and the second retractable guide 210 can automatically return to their respective first closed position and second closed position.

[0049] Subsequently, user 602 can continue to slide connector 100 downwards away from cutter 212 within the housing interior. During this phase, cutters 212 can return to their default inactive state. Furthermore, as connector 100 moves away from cutter 212, heat generated from heating element 214 heats and contracts the flexible cover 106 on the outer surface of the connector, thus securely and tightly enveloping connector 100. When user 602 has slid connector 100 through the length of the housing interior and connector 100 has reached the third portion "P3" of the elongated opening, user 602 can remove connector 100 from the housing interior encased in flexible cover 106, as... Figure 6 As shown. Figure 7 The image shows an example view of the connector 100 (including wires 108) encased in a flexible cover 106 when the user 602 removes the connector 100 from the interior portion of the housing.

[0050] In this way, the device 200 allows the user 602 to conveniently wrap the connector 100 with the flexible cover 106 by simply sliding the connector 100 within the housing portion via the elongated opening 216.

[0051] Understandably, during the vehicle assembly process, user 602 can easily remove and discard the flexible cover 106 from connector 100 at the assembly line. Removing the flexible cover 106 (i.e., the PVC film) from connector 100 is much easier than removing a cap that is conventionally used to protect connector 100 from contaminants during transport.

[0052] Figure 8 A flowchart depicts an example method 800 of covering connector 100 with a flexible cover 106 according to this disclosure. Further description can be made with reference to the preceding figures. Figure 8 The following process is exemplary and is not limited to the steps described below. Furthermore, alternative embodiments may include more or fewer steps than shown or described herein, and may include these steps in a different order than that described in the example embodiments below.

[0053] Method 800 begins at step 802. At step 804, method 800 may include inserting connector 100 into the housing interior portion via an elongated opening, first portion "P1". At step 806, method 800 may include sliding connector 100 along the length of the housing interior portion via elongated opening 216. As described above, when connector 100 slides within the housing interior portion, device 200 encloses connector 100 with a flexible cover 106.

[0054] At step 808, method 800 may include removing connector 100 (enclosed or sealed within flexible cover 106) from the interior portion of the housing via the elongated opening third portion "P3". Method 800 may end at step 810.

[0055] In the foregoing disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the foregoing disclosure, illustrating specific embodiments in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It should be understood that other implementations and structural changes may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References to “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., in this specification indicate that the described embodiment may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but each embodiment may not necessarily include said specific features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, when features, structures, or characteristics are described in connection with embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize such features, structures, or characteristics in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not.

[0056] It should also be understood that the word “example” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusive and non-restrictive in nature. More specifically, the word “example” as used herein refers to one of several examples, and it should be understood that there is no undue emphasis or preference on the particular example described.

[0057] Regarding the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc., described herein, it should be understood that although the steps of such processes, etc., have been described as occurring in a certain ordered order, such processes can be practiced by performing the described steps in a different order than that described herein. It should also be understood that some steps may be performed simultaneously, other steps may be added, or some steps described herein may be omitted. In other words, the description of processes herein is provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed as limiting the claims.

[0058] Therefore, it should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Many embodiments and applications beyond the examples provided will become apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should not be determined by reference to the above description, but rather by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. It is anticipated and expected that the techniques discussed herein will evolve in the future, and the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In conclusion, it should be understood that modifications and changes are possible with this application.

[0059] Unless explicitly indicated otherwise herein, all terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meaning as understood by one skilled in the art as described herein. Specifically, unless the claims explicitly limit the recitation to the contrary, the use of singular articles such as “a,” “the,” or “the” should be interpreted as one or more of the elements indicated by the recitation. Unless otherwise specifically stated or otherwise understood in the context of use, conditional language such as, in particular, “may,” “possibly,” “may,” or “can / may” is generally intended to express that some embodiments may include certain features, elements, and / or steps, while other embodiments may not include certain features, elements, and / or steps. Therefore, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that one or more embodiments require each feature, element, and / or step in any way.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the covering storage device is a bundle of PVC film.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the thickness of the flexible covering is in the range of 25 micrometers to 30 micrometers.

[0062] According to the present invention, an apparatus is provided comprising: a housing including an elongated opening configured to receive an external object and allow the external object to slide within an interior portion of the housing; a cover storage device configured to store and dispense a flexible cover; a first retractable guide disposed in the housing and configured to retractably move from a first closed position to a first open position and then return to the first closed position when the external object slides within the interior portion of the housing and contacts the first retractable guide, wherein: when the first retractable guide moves from the first closed position to the first open position, the cover storage device dispenses the flexible cover covering an outer surface of the external object; a cutter configured to cut the flexible cover approaching the external object when the first retractable guide returns to the first closed position; and a heating element configured to heat the flexible cover on the outer surface of the external object to cause the flexible cover to close the external object.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the external object is the vehicle's electrical distribution system (EDS) wiring harness connector.

[0064] According to the present invention, a method for covering an external object with a flexible cover includes: inserting the external object into an elongated opening of a housing; sliding the external object within an interior portion of the housing via the elongated opening, wherein: the housing includes a retractable guide configured to retractably move from a closed position to an open position and then return to the closed position when the external object slides within the interior portion of the housing and contacts the retractable guide; as the retractable guide moves from the closed position to the open position, a cover storage device dispenses the flexible cover covering an outer surface of the external object; a heating element heats the flexible cover on the outer surface of the external object to close the external object; and the external object closed with the flexible cover is removed from the interior portion of the housing via the elongated opening.

Claims

1. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: A housing, the housing including an elongated opening configured to receive an external object and allow the external object to slide within an internal portion of the housing; A cover storage device configured to store and distribute flexible covers; A first retractable guide, disposed within the housing and configured to retractably move from a first closed position to a first open position and then return to the first closed position when an external object slides within the housing and contacts the first retractable guide, wherein: When the first retractable guide moves from the first closed position to the first open position, the cover storage device distributes the flexible cover covering the outer surface of the external object; as well as A heating element configured to heat the flexible covering on the outer surface of the external object to enclose the external object.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first retractable guide returns to the first closed position when the external object stops contacting the first retractable guide and the external object slides within the housing interior portion.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a cutter configured to cut the flexible covering approaching the external object when the external object ceases to contact the first retractable guide and the first retractable guide returns to the first closed position.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first retractable guide includes a first proximal end disposed near the top portion of the housing and a first distal end disposed away from the top portion of the housing, and wherein the cutter is disposed near the first distal end.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the cutter cuts the flexible cover based on user input.

6. The device of claim 3, further comprising a sensor configured to detect movement of the external object when the external object ceases to contact the first retractable guide, and wherein the cutter cuts the flexible cover based on input obtained from the sensor.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is cubic, wherein the housing is configured to be mounted on a wall, and wherein the elongated opening is disposed on the front wall of the housing.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover storage device is disposed in the housing near the top portion of the housing.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover storage device is disposed above the first retractable guide in the housing.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second retractable guide disposed in the housing and configured to retractably move from a second closed position to a second open position and then return to the second closed position when the external object slides in the interior portion of the housing to contact the second retractable guide, wherein when the second retractable guide moves from the second closed position to the second open position, the cover storage device dispenses the flexible cover covering the outer surface of the external object.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: The first retractable guide includes a first proximal end and a first distal end, and the second retractable guide includes a second proximal end and a second distal end. When the first retractable guide is in the first closed position and the second retractable guide is in the second closed position, the first distal end and the second distal end are positioned close to each other, and When the first retractable guide is in the first open position and the second retractable guide is in the second open position, the first distal end and the second distal end are positioned away from each other.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein: The inner surfaces of the first retractable guide and the second retractable guide face each other, and the outer surfaces of the first retractable guide and the second retractable guide are disposed opposite to the inner surfaces. A predefined portion of the inner surface contacts the flexible covering dispensed from the covering storage device. The flexible covering extends from the inner surface toward the first distal end and the second distal end, and The flexible covering extending from the inner surface connects at the first distal end and the second distal end to form a cup-shaped structure.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the heating element is disposed below the first distal end and the second distal end.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the external object is a vehicle electrical distribution system (EDS) wiring harness connector.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible covering is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film.

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