Connector Code Window Layout for Assembly Completion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional electrical connectors, the barcode label is hidden by the lever when in the open position, making it difficult to detect the connection status upon rotation to the closed position, which can lead to delayed recording of manufacturing or assembly progress.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with a housing featuring a detection window and a viewing window, allowing the code to be undetectable through the detection window at the start position but detectable at the completion position, and viewable through the viewing window from a different direction, ensuring the code can be easily found and read at the completion position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the barcode label is hidden by the lever when the lever is at the open position, then the connection status can be detected, but the position of the barcode label cannot be known and it may not be possible to find the barcode label soon after the lever is rotated from the open position to the closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two distinct window openings: a detection window for automated barcode scanning and a viewing window for visual confirmation. This segmentation allows each window to serve its specific function optimally - the detection window remains obscured during assembly while the viewing window provides continuous visibility of the barcode label position.
Solution Approach 2:
The viewing window acts as an intermediary between the hidden barcode label and the operator. It provides visual information about the barcode label's position without allowing direct access or detection through the detection window, enabling operators to anticipate where the barcode will appear after lever rotation.
2Loss of time
If the barcode label is always visible, then the position can be known, but the connection status detection reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the housing have different optical properties: the detection window area is designed to be obscured during assembly to ensure reliable connection status detection, while the viewing window area is designed to be transparent or open to allow visual confirmation of the barcode label position. Each local region has optimized quality for its specific function.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector of the present disclosure is provided with a housing connectable to a mating housing, an assembly component having a code placement surface and to be assembled with the housing at a start position and a completion position, and a code to be placed on the code placement surface. The housing includes a detection window open in a first direction and a viewing window open in a second direction different from the first direction. The code is undetectable through the detection window from the first direction by a detecting device and viewable through the viewing window from the second direction with the assembly component assembled at the start position. The code is detectable through the detection window from the first direction by the detecting device and viewable through the viewing window from the second direction with the assembly component assembled at the completion position.