Cable Assembly with Circuit-Interrupter Receptacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices connected to electrical signal sources or other electronic devices are vulnerable to damage from undesired electrical signals, such as over-voltage or over-current signals, which can occur due to incompatibility or fault conditions, particularly in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The development of cable assemblies equipped with circuit-interrupter or fuse-lead receptacles and illuminators that prevent undesired signals from reaching the connected electronic devices or signal sources, using resettable or non-resettable fuses to protect against excessive voltage or current, and featuring connectors compatible with various standards like SAE and ISO.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electronic devices are connected to electrical signal sources via conductors, then electrical signal transmission is enabled, but the electronic devices become vulnerable to damage from undesired electrical signals such as over-voltage or over-current signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces circuit-interrupter-lead receptacles and fuse-lead receptacles as intermediary protective components between the conductors and electronic devices. These receptacles accept circuit interrupters and fuses that act as mediators to detect and interrupt undesired electrical signals (over-voltage, over-current) before they reach the electronic device, thus protecting the device while maintaining normal signal transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements protective measures in advance by incorporating circuit-interrupter-lead receptacles and fuse-lead receptacles into the cable assembly before connection. The circuit interrupters and fuses are pre-positioned to automatically detect and respond to undesired electrical signals, interrupting the circuit before damage can occur to the electronic device, thus performing protection action prior to potential harm
2Reliability
If circuit interrupters and fuses are added to protect against undesired signals, then device protection is improved, but cable assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protective functions (circuit interruption, fuse protection, illuminator indication) into an integrated cable assembly structure. The circuit-interrupter-lead receptacles and fuse-lead receptacles are merged into the connector housing, and the illuminator is integrated into the connector assembly, creating a unified protective system that reduces overall system complexity despite adding protective capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly is designed with universal protective components that can handle multiple types of electrical faults (over-voltage, over-current) through a single integrated structure. The circuit-interrupter-lead receptacles and fuse-lead receptacles provide multi-functional protection, and the illuminator serves multiple purposes by indicating both circuit status and connection status, thus achieving complex protection functions through universal multi-functional components
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly for connecting an electronic device to another electronic device and/or to a signal source. The cable assembly comprises a first connector and a second connector and a plurality of conductors connected between the connectors. The first connector may comprise receptacles for receiving a circuit-interrupter that can open a circuit in the cable assembly when an undesired signal (e.g., a over-voltage signal or an over-current signal) is applied to the cable assembly. The circuit-interrupter may comprise a fuse, such as a non-resettable fuse or a resettable fuse. The first connector may be arranged for connection to an automobile and the second connector may be arranged for connection to an electronic device operable for diagnosing and/or servicing the automobile.