Aligned Groove Fixture for Precise Wire and Pin Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronics manufacturing techniques lack a reliable apparatus to accurately position and fix elongated elements, such as wires and needle-shaped pins, leading to reduced soldering accuracy and product quality.

Innovation Solution

A fixing apparatus with a locking mechanism and unlocking device, featuring a strip-shaped body and sliding slot, allows for precise alignment and secure fixation of elongated elements, enabling axial alignment and reliable positioning of multiple elements simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual positioning method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing apparatus is divided into multiple functional components: positioning grooves for precise location, pressing covers for securing elements, and locking mechanisms for maintaining position. Each component performs a specific function, collectively achieving accurate positioning without requiring a complex monolithic structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning grooves and pressing covers are designed to automatically guide and secure elongated elements into correct positions through their geometric shapes and mechanical interactions, eliminating the need for complex external positioning systems or manual adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If locking mechanism is added, then fixation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism employs movable locking lips that can transition between locked and unlocked states, allowing the apparatus to maintain secure fixation during operation while enabling easy release when needed. This dynamic capability enhances reliability without requiring multiple separate locking devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking lips are integrated into the pressing covers, combining the pressing and locking functions into a single component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining reliable fixation through the coordinated action of pressing and locking features

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If multiple elongated elements are fixed simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but positioning accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation efficiencyVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning grooves are designed with universal geometric features that can accommodate multiple different elongated elements (wires, pins, connectors) simultaneously. Each element is guided by the same groove geometry into its correct position, ensuring consistent alignment accuracy across multiple elements and types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning grooves pre-establish the correct spatial relationships and alignment paths for multiple elongated elements before the pressing operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that when multiple elements are fixed simultaneously, they are already in their correct relative positions, maintaining alignment accuracy throughout the process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3349312B1Fixing apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • EP3349312B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3349312B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3349312B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure discloses a fixing apparatus comprising a first fixing device (100) adapted to position and fix at least one first elongated element (1); and a second fixing device (200) adapted to position and fix at least one second elongated element (2). The first fixing device (100) is formed with at least one first positioning groove (111) adapted to position the first elongated element (1), and the second fixing device (200) is formed with at least one second positioning groove (211) adapted to position the second elongated element (2). The first positioning groove (111) is aligned with a corresponded second positioning groove (211), so that the first elongated element (1) fixed in the first positioning groove (111) is axially aligned with the second elongated element (2) positioned in the corresponding second positioning groove (211). Thus, it is possible to accurately position the first and second elongated elements (1, 2) in the first and second positioning grooves (111, 211), respectively, thereby improving the alignment accuracy between the first and second elongated elements (1, 2).