Cable Connector Ring Member for LED Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable connector assemblies face difficulties in maintaining the visibility of the LED light due to strain relief portions that obstruct the light path, making it hard to determine the working status, and the existing solutions for this issue are unstable.
Innovation Solution
A cable connector assembly design featuring a ring member with a slick loop portion inserted into the light pipe and a retaining portion with a rugged exterior surface, which enhances the engagement with the strain relief portion and ensures the light from the LED is not obstructed, allowing for better visibility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a strain relief portion is molded on the cable to protect the connection, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the light from the LED is obstructed making it difficult to observe the working status
Solution Approach 1:
The ring member is divided into two distinct portions: a slick loop portion that receives light and a retaining portion with rugged exterior surface that engages with the strain relief portion. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function - light transmission and structural engagement - simultaneously resolving the contradiction between light visibility and structural strength.
2Illumination intensity
If a ring member is designed between the light pipe and strain relief portion to allow light passage, then the light visibility is improved, but the combination with the strain relief portion becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the ring member have different surface qualities: the loop portion has a slick surface for light transmission, while the retaining portion has a rugged exterior surface for stable engagement with the strain relief portion. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between light visibility and combination stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a single homogeneous ring structure to a multi-dimensional structure with varying surface properties at different locations. The rugged exterior surface adds a new dimension of engagement capability that was missing in the conventional smooth ring member, thereby improving stability while maintaining light visibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If the strain relief portion is molded directly on the cable, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the light path is blocked and the working status cannot be observed
Solution Approach 1:
The ring member acts as an intermediary component between the strain relief portion and the light pipe. It has a slick loop portion that allows light to pass through to the light pipe, while the retaining portion with rugged surface engages with the strain relief portion. This intermediary structure maintains the simple molding process while enabling light transmission for status observation.
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
The improved ring member design ensures the light from the LED is not blocked by the strain relief portion, enabling users to easily observe the working status of the cable connector assembly while providing enhanced stability and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a Light Emitting Diode (LED) attached to the printed circuit board to indicate the working status of the cable connector assembly
Implementation Method 2
a light pipe receiving the LED, a cable with a plurality of wires... The visible area is exposed out of the insulative shell
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector assembly (100) comprises a mating member (3), a printed circuit board (2), a LED (24) attached to the printed circuit board, a cable (6), a light pipe (4) having a visible area (431), an insulative shell (1), and a ring member (5). The cable has a positive wire (61) and a negative wire (62) connected with the mating member (3), and a strain relief portion (64) molded on the wires and neighboring to said light pipe. A detective contact (631) is connecting with the cable. The insulative shell encloses the printed circuit board, the cable and the mating member. The visible area (431) is exposed out of the insulative shell. The ring member has a slick loop portion (51) located in said light pipe and a retaining portion (52) with a rugged exterior surface, and said strain relief portion is molded on the retaining portion.