Connector Cover Strip Structure for Variable Contact Counts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector covers are not adaptable to connectors with varying numbers of contacts, leading to excessive length issues that cause interference with other components during mounting and increase storage tray size.
Innovation Solution
A continuous structure made from a single strip-shaped flat plate with a repeating unit structure, allowing for customizable cutting to match the number of contacts, eliminating excessive length and enabling precise sizing for different connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single connector cover design is used for connectors with varying numbers of contacts, then the connector cover can be universally applied to different connector types, but the connector cover becomes excessively long causing interference with other components and increasing storage tray size
Solution Approach 1:
The connector cover is divided into multiple individual cover pieces, each corresponding to a specific connector length. These segmented covers are stored separately and selected based on the specific connector type, eliminating the need for a single excessively long cover that would interfere with other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static single-cover design to a dynamic selection system where multiple cover lengths are available. The appropriate cover length is dynamically selected based on the connector's contact count, allowing optimal fit without excessive length while maintaining adaptability across different connector types.
2Manufacturing precision
If connector covers are produced for each specific connector type, then the connector cover length can be precisely matched to the connector, but the number of different connector cover types increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple connector cover types serve a universal function of protecting connectors, but each is optimized for specific connector lengths. The system uses standardized cover designs that can be applied across different connector types, reducing design complexity while achieving precise length matching through selective application.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention varies the length parameter of connector covers while maintaining consistent design features and attachment mechanisms. By changing only the critical length parameter and keeping other dimensions standardized, the system achieves precise fitting for different connectors without proportionally increasing overall design complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If excessive length connector covers are used to accommodate all connector types, then all connectors can be covered with a single design, but interference with other mounted components occurs and storage tray size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful excessive length portions are extracted from the connector cover design. Instead of including all possible lengths in a single cover, the solution extracts only the necessary length for each specific connector type, eliminating interference with other mounted components while maintaining universal adaptability through selective usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention accepts having multiple cover types (analogous to disposable items) rather than creating a single universal cover. Each cover type is optimized for specific connector lengths and can be discarded or replaced as needed, avoiding the harmful effects of excessive length while maintaining simplicity in each individual cover design.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A continuous structure capable of producing a connector cover is made from a single strip-shaped flat plate. The continuous structure has a structure in which a unit structure repeatedly and regularly appears in a longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped flat plate. The unit structure includes a flat-plate portion and two side wall portion groups. One of the two side wall portion groups includes a first side wall portion standing on one of two edges of the flat-plate portion in a width direction of the flat-plate portion, and the other of the two side wall portion groups includes a second side wall portion standing on the other of the two edges of the flat-plate portion. The second side wall portion is a spring portion which generates pressing force in the width direction. The first side wall portion faces the second side wall portion.