Actuating Clip Assembly for Tight-Space Connector Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tight installation spaces, connectors face difficulties due to insufficient space for mounting tools or fitter's hands, leading to ergonomic challenges and potential wear marks during high-throughput installations.
Innovation Solution
An actuating clip with ergonomic surfaces and recesses for manual actuation, designed to grip both hands and tools, and featuring latching mechanisms and oblique surfaces for easy expansion and secure connection to the connector, allowing for tool-free installation and secure attachment without causing pressure points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If connectors are installed in tight installation spaces using conventional methods, then the installation space requirement is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to insufficient space for mounting tools or fitter's hands
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate parts: a male connector and a female connector. This segmentation allows each part to be handled independently, enabling installation in tight spaces where one connector can be stationary while the other is inserted, eliminating the need for complex mounting tools in confined areas.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide element acts as an intermediary component between the male and female connectors. This guide element facilitates the insertion process by providing alignment and guidance, making installation easier in tight spaces where precise manual alignment would be difficult without an intermediate guiding structure.
2Productivity
If high-throughput installation is performed to increase productivity, then the installation speed is improved, but harmful factors increase due to potential wear marks on the fitter's hands
Solution Approach 1:
The connector components feature smooth, rounded surfaces and flexible design elements that prevent sharp edges and protrusions. This reduces mechanical stress and friction during repeated handling, preventing wear marks on the fitter's hands even during high-throughput installation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design includes self-aligning features and guide elements that reduce the need for forceful manual manipulation. The connectors guide themselves into proper alignment during insertion, minimizing the physical effort and friction that cause hand wear during high-volume installation.
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
Facilitates efficient, pain-free, and high-throughput connector installation by providing ergonomic grip and secure attachment, reducing wear and material costs while ensuring easy expansion and secure connection without tools.
Implementation Method 1
Spring elasticity ensures elastic deformability under the action of a force, wherein the deformation is reversed as the action of a force decreases.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuating clip (1) for a connector (10), having a cable receptacle (2) for receiving at least one cable; connecting means in order to connect the actuating clip to the connector in such a manner that the actuating clip adjoins the connector at a cable-side end of the connector; surfaces for actuating the connector (10), which are configured to ensure guiding of the connector (10) when the latter is connected to an actuating clip by the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) being able to be gripped by a human hand and/or by a gripping tool, wherein the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) are specifically designed to be gripped by a hand and/or by a gripping tool.