Automotive Connector With Hinged Lid For Hollow Shaft Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Standard connectors for motor vehicle electrical systems are often unable to pass through small openings like hollow shafts without requiring complex modifications that compromise their functionality.
Innovation Solution
An automotive electrical wiring connector with a hinged lid and elastic legs allows easy insertion through a hollow shaft while maintaining a standard connection configuration, featuring multiple positions for retention and access, including an intermediate position for flexibility during passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard connectors are used, then connection functionality is maintained, but the connector cannot pass through small openings like hollow shafts
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a hinged lid that can transition between closed and open positions, allowing the connector to adapt its shape dynamically. When the lid is open, the connector has a reduced profile for insertion through hollow shafts; when closed, it provides full retention functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector body is divided into functional segments: a fixed body portion containing the electrical conductors and a movable lid portion. This segmentation allows the lid to be opened for insertion and closed for retention, solving the contradiction between insertion ease and retention effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If the connector structure is modified to pass through hollow shafts, then insertion capability is improved, but the standard connection configuration is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged lid provides a dynamic solution where the connector transitions from an open state (for insertion through hollow shafts) to a closed state (for reliable retention). This dynamic mechanism maintains standard connection configuration while enabling passage through small openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector changes its geometric parameters by opening or closing the lid. When open, the overall width is reduced to fit through hollow shafts; when closed, the full retention structure is engaged, ensuring reliable connection without compromising either insertion capability or retention strength.
3Reliability
If the lid is kept closed for retention, then connection security is improved, but access to electrical conductors is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged lid creates a dynamic system where the connector can be opened to access electrical conductors for connection/disconnection operations, then closed to provide secure retention. This eliminates the need for permanent access openings that would compromise connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is extracted as a separate movable component from the fixed body, allowing it to be opened for conductor access and closed for retention. This separation of access function and retention function resolves the contradiction between security and accessibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The connector efficiently passes through small openings without altering its dimensions or alignment, providing enhanced safety and retention for both the connector body and cable terminals, ensuring secure connection and easy installation.
Implementation Method 1
The body of the connector may further comprise at least one lateral elastic leg, such as for example two, arranged at opposite sides of the body. Such at least one lateral elastic leg may have an inclined portion suitable for facilitating insertion of the connector body into the interior of the hollow shaft.
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive electrical wiring connector for being inserted through a interior of a hollow shaft. It comprises a body having at least one receiving portion for an electrical conductor end that is adapted for being connected to another electrical conductor end, and a lid for covering the electrical conductor receiving portion. The lid is suitable to be in at least one operating position in which the lid is closed to the body and retaining the at least one electrical conductor therein while retaining the connector body through the interior of the hollow shaft, and in at least one non-operating position in which the lid is open for allowing the at least one electrical conductor to be accessed and released.