Cable Connector Strain Relief via Nested Sleeve Protection
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable connector assemblies lack effective strain relief mechanisms that protect contact junctions between cables and terminals, leading to potential damage and reduced mechanical support.
Innovation Solution
A cable connector assembly comprising a housing, terminal, sleeve, and strain relief member, where the sleeve encloses the contact junction between the cable and terminal, and the strain relief member is molded over the cable and sleeve to provide enhanced protection and mechanical support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a separate strain relief member is used to grasp the metal braiding layer, then mechanical support and grounding function are provided, but the contact junctions between cable and terminal remain exposed and vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sleeve that encloses the contact junctions between the cable and terminal, nesting this protective element within the overall connector assembly. The strain relief member then grasps the sleeve along with the metal braiding layer, creating a nested structure where the sleeve protects the vulnerable contact areas while the strain relief member provides external mechanical support and grounding.
2Strength
If the strain relief member directly grasps the metal braiding layer, then mechanical support is provided, but the contact junctions are left unprotected
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is nested within the connector assembly to enclose and protect the contact junctions, while the strain relief member nestedly grasps both the sleeve and metal braiding layer. This nested arrangement ensures that the contact junctions are shielded from damage, thereby improving connectivity reliability while maintaining mechanical support functionality.
3Device complexity
If no protective enclosure is added for contact junctions, then device complexity remains low, but the contact junctions are vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed as a simple cylindrical enclosure that nestedly covers the contact junctions without adding complex structural elements. This minimalistic protective enclosure effectively shields the vulnerable areas while maintaining overall structural simplicity and avoiding excessive complexity in the assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector assembly (100) in accordance with the present invention includes a housing (1), a terminal (2), a sleeve (5), and a strain relief member (7). The housing includes a mating end (11), a soldering end (12), and a passage formed through the mating and soldering ends. The terminal is received in the passage of the housing and includes a mating portion (21) exposed in the mating end and a soldering portion (22) extending beyond the soldering end of the housing and soldered to a cable (3). The sleeve is mounted to enclose a contact junction (8) between the cable and the terminal, and the strain relief member is molded over a part of the cable and the sleeve.