Branch Connector Split Housings Cable Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional branch connectors fail to maintain a sealing state when connecting cables with different specifications due to uniform clamp dimensions that do not account for varying cable specifications, leading to gaps and difficulties in achieving an airtight seal.
Innovation Solution
A branch connector design featuring a pair of split housings with differently positioned holding portions that accommodate cables in specific directions, ensuring proper alignment and sealing, and incorporating a filler between the relay contact and holding portions to enhance waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If uniform clamp portions are used for all cables, then the device structure is simple, but sealing performance deteriorates when connecting cables with different specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp portions are designed with different shapes and dimensions tailored to specific cable specifications. Each clamp portion has a customized cross-sectional shape that matches the cable it is intended to secure, ensuring optimal contact and sealing for each cable type while maintaining overall device functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp structure is divided into multiple separate clamp portions, each dedicated to a specific cable. This segmentation allows each clamp to be independently optimized for its corresponding cable specification, enabling the device to handle multiple cable types with different dimensions and shapes effectively
2Reliability
If clamp portions are customized for different cable specifications, then sealing performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp portions are designed with different shapes and dimensions tailored to specific cable specifications. Each clamp portion has a customized cross-sectional shape that matches the cable it is intended to secure, ensuring optimal contact and sealing for each cable type while maintaining overall device functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates multiple clamp portions that can accommodate various cable specifications within a single unified structure. This multi-functional design allows the device to handle different cable types (e.g., round, flat, square cables) without requiring separate devices, balancing customization with structural integration
3Ease of operation
If gaps are formed between cable and clamp portion, then ease of cable insertion is improved, but waterproofing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof film is introduced to cover and seal the gaps between the cable surface and the clamp portion. This thin film barrier effectively prevents water and dust from penetrating into the device interior through the gaps, while not interfering with the cable insertion process
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof film acts as an intermediary element between the cable and the external environment. It fills and seals the gap space without requiring tight mechanical contact between the cable and clamp, thus maintaining both ease of insertion and waterproofing performance
Data Source
AI summary
A branch connector capable of maintaining a sealing state for cables with different specifications is provided. A branch connector (10) configured to electrically connect cables together by cutting insulating sheaths in press-contact grooves includes a pair of first split housing (16) and a second split housing (30) that are coupled together via a connecting portion and can open and close, first holding portions (29) that are provided to the first split housing (16) and configured to hold the cables, and second holding portions (40) that are provided to the second split housing (30) and configured to hold the cables. In a state in which the first split housing (16) and the second split housing (30) are fitted together, the first holding portions (29) and the second holding portions (40) are in different locations from each other with respect to an extending direction of the cables and a direction perpendicular to the extending direction.