Connector Block With Integrated Cable Manager

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector blocks for terminating multiple insulated conductors often lead to alien crosstalk due to the movement of cables, which increases electromagnetic interference and is inconvenient in space-limited installations, and require additional cable managers that increase costs.

Innovation Solution

A connector block design with integrated cable managers that keep conductors taut between insulation displacement contacts, featuring a tab and flange structure to prevent cable movement and maintain fixed positions, reducing alien crosstalk by maximizing the separation distance between twisted pairs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If separate cable managers are used to manage cable ends, then cable positioning is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable positioning stabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable manager functions are integrated directly into the connector block housing, combining two separate components (connector block and cable manager) into a single unified device. This eliminates the need for separate cable managers while maintaining cable positioning stability, thereby reducing device complexity and installation cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If cable managers are used to fix cable positions, then alien crosstalk is reduced, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealien crosstalkVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cable manager features are built into the connector block as an integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate cable manager components. This integration maintains the alien crosstalk reduction benefits while lowering installation cost by removing the need for additional parts and simplifying the installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conductor separation distance is increased, then alien crosstalk is reduced, but connector block size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealien crosstalkVSAvoidconnector block area
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connector block utilizes three-dimensional space management through integrated cable managers that route cables along the sides and top/bottom surfaces. This allows conductors to be separated in multiple dimensions (not just linearly), reducing alien crosstalk while maintaining a compact overall footprint by efficiently utilizing available space in all directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2044654B1Connector block
Publication Date: 2010.01.06 ADC GMBH
  • EP2044654B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2044654B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2044654B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a connector block for separating a plurality of insulated conductors of an electronic data cable, said connector block containing: a plurality of slits arranged in a row along a common side of the connector block; a plurality of insulation displacement contacts comprising forked contact sections which at least partially extend into respective individual slits in order to electrically separate the insulated conductors; and a cable manager which is coupled to another side of the connector block and extends outwardly therefrom. The cable manager is embodied in such a way as to secure the conductors in substantially fixed positions between one end of the sheath of the data cable and the insulation displacement contacts.