Electric Connection Box Mold Stripping Hole Cover Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric connection boxes for vehicles have high production costs and large sizes due to the need for specialized engaging structures for covers, which increase complexity and expense.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a synthetic resin member with a mold stripping hole along its outer surface and an engaging portion on a projected piece from the main plate, allowing the cover to be engaged with the mold stripping hole without an exclusive engaging hole, reducing costs and enabling a smaller form factor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a special engaging structure portion is added to the synthetic resin part for attaching the cover, then the cover can be securely attached, but the cost increases and the size becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover attachment securityVSAvoidengaging structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mold stripping hole, originally designed solely for mold removal during manufacturing, is repurposed to also serve as an engaging hole for the cover attachment. This multi-functional use eliminates the need for a separate engaging structure, reducing both cost and complexity while maintaining secure cover attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the mold stripping function and the cover engaging function into a single structural feature (the mold stripping hole). By combining these two previously separate functions into one element, the design reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a special engaging structure portion is added to the synthetic resin part for attaching the cover, then the cover can be securely attached, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover attachment securityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mold stripping hole serves dual purposes: mold removal during manufacturing and cover attachment during assembly. This eliminates the need for additional engaging structures, reducing mold complexity and production costs while ensuring secure cover attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing mold stripping hole structure is utilized for the cover engaging function without requiring additional dedicated engaging components. The synthetic resin part's own molding features are leveraged to provide the engaging functionality, avoiding extra manufacturing steps and costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7726981B2Electric connection box with molded synthetic resin member with mold stripping holes used for engaging a cover

Publication Date: 2010.06.01 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

The present invention provides an electric connection box capable of reducing cost and capable of constituting small-sized formation by devising a structure of engaging a cover. The electric connection box including an electronic device and connected to a wire harness so as to electrically connect the electronic device and the wire harness includes a synthetic resin member including a mold stripping hole used for molding the synthetic resin member, and a cover including a engaging portion engaged with the hole.