Cable Terminal Protector With Displaceable Holding Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable terminal protectors fail to provide adequate protection against unintentional grounding during factory handling and logistics while also requiring additional steps and potential electrical connection disruptions for intentional grounding to a vehicle body.
Innovation Solution
A cable terminal protection arrangement featuring a cable terminal with a flat-shaped end piece and a housing containing a suspension unit, where the holding element is displaceable between a first position for protection and a second position for connection, using an electrically insulating material and a fastening element like a screw or bolt for secure attachment to a vehicle body, ensuring the cable terminal remains insulated and securely connected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cable terminal protector fully encloses the cable terminal, then protection from unintentional grounding is improved, but ease of connection for intentional grounding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable terminal protector is divided into a housing and a removable cap. The housing provides structural support and electrical insulation, while the cap can be independently removed to expose the cable terminal for intentional grounding. This segmentation allows the terminal to be protected during handling yet easily accessible when connection is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable terminal is pre-assembled with the protector housing and cap during manufacturing. The cap is designed to be easily removable by the end user, providing preliminary protection during logistics while enabling quick access for intentional grounding operations without requiring manual disassembly of the entire protector.
2Ease of operation
If the cable terminal protector is designed for easy removal, then ease of connection for intentional grounding is improved, but protection from unintentional grounding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protector is segmented into a permanent housing and a removable cap. The housing remains attached to the cable terminal providing continuous structural support and insulation, while only the cap is removed for grounding operations. This minimizes the exposed protective structure while maintaining adequate protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the necessary protective element (the cap) is removed for intentional grounding, rather than removing the entire protector. The housing remains in place to provide ongoing protection and support, extracting only the minimum required intervention for the grounding operation.
3Ease of operation
If the cable terminal is fully exposed for connection, then ease of connection for intentional grounding is improved, but risk of unintentional grounding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable cap acts as an intermediary protective element that can be selectively removed. During handling and storage, the cap remains in place preventing unintentional grounding. During intentional grounding, the cap is removed to allow connection, and the housing provides an intermediary protective barrier that guides proper installation while preventing accidental contact.
4Reliability
If manual removal of the cable terminal protector is required, then protection from unintentional grounding is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protector is manufactured as segmented components (housing and cap) that can be independently produced and assembled. The cap is designed with simple snap-fit or friction-fit features requiring minimal assembly steps, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective protection during logistics.
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7a~7d
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a cable terminal protection arrangement comprising a cable terminal (7) and a cable terminal protector (1) adapted to protect the cable terminal. The cable terminal comprises a flat-shaped end piece (11). The cable terminal protector comprises a housing (21) and a suspension unit (23a, 23b) located within the housing. The suspension unit comprises a holding element (31 a, 31 b) for holding the end piece and an arm (29a, 29b) connecting the holding element to the housing. The holding element is displaceable in relation to the housing from a first position to a second position, wherein, in the first position, a major portion of a second surface of the end piece is covered by the holding element, and in the second position, the end piece is outside the holding element. The disclosure also relates to a kit comprising the cable terminal protection arrangement and a fastening element (45). The disclosure further relates to a method of attaching the cable terminal protection arrangement to an object, e.g. a vehicle body.