Connection Set with Blocking Component for Automotive Connector Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of high voltage electrical connectors in automotive vehicles is hindered by insufficient precision in positioning the box units, leading to difficulties in screwing and incomplete fastening, especially in confined spaces like the motor compartment.
Innovation Solution
A connection set with a first and second box unit, featuring a movable blocking component and a guiding indicator or marker that ensures correct positioning before allowing fastening, preventing the cooperation of fastening means until the units are correctly aligned, thus ensuring proper orientation and secure assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional screw fastening is used without positioning guidance, then the fastening process is simple, but the positioning precision between box units is insufficient leading to skewed or incomplete screwing
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding unit (marker or indicator) is provided in advance on the box units to establish correct positioning before the fastening operation begins. This preliminary positioning guidance ensures that when the blocking component is actuated and fastening proceeds, the units are already correctly aligned, preventing skewed or incomplete screwing while maintaining a relatively simple overall mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking component acts as an intermediary mechanism between the guiding unit and the fastening means. It receives input from the guiding unit (when the marker aligns with the indicator) and controls the activation of the fastening means, ensuring that fastening only occurs when correct positioning is achieved, thereby improving positioning precision without requiring complex automated positioning systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If blocking component is added to ensure correct positioning, then assembly precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking component is designed to be actuated by the operator themselves through a simple manual operation (pressing or sliding) when the guiding units indicate correct alignment. The component serves itself by automatically preventing fastening until proper alignment is achieved, and then allowing fastening to proceed. This self-service mechanism improves assembly precision without requiring external automation or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking component transitions from a static blocking state to a dynamic unlocked state when the guiding units indicate correct positioning. This dynamic characteristic allows the mechanism to adapt its state based on positioning conditions, improving assembly precision while maintaining structural simplicity through a single movable element rather than multiple interlocking components.
3Ease of operation
If manual positioning is used in confined spaces, then the device structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in achieving correct alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding units (markers or indicators) utilize visual contrast or color differentiation to indicate correct positioning. When the box units are correctly aligned, the marker and indicator display a distinct visual signal (such as color matching or alignment of colored elements), providing immediate visual feedback to the operator in confined spaces where visual inspection is easier than precise manual alignment, thereby improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical alignment process is supplemented or replaced by the visual guidance system consisting of markers and indicators. Instead of relying solely on precise mechanical fitting or complex alignment mechanisms, the operator uses visual cues from the guiding units to achieve correct positioning, substituting complex mechanical alignment requirements with simpler visual detection, thus improving ease of operation in confined spaces.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connection set comprising a first (2) and a second box unit. The first box unit (2) includes a blocking component (21), mobile between a blocking position in which it is locked and prevents the cooperation of fastening means allowing the first (2) and second box units to be fastened together, and an unblocking position in which it authorizes the cooperation of the fastening means. A marker interacts with the blocking component (21) when the first (2) and the second box units are in a position for connection, in order to unlock the blocking component (21), and thus to authorize its passage from its blocking position to its unblocking position. The invention also relates to a method of assembling this connection set.