Electrical Connector Housing Slots for Robotic Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual installation of electrical connectors is time-consuming and costly, especially for complex projects, and existing robotic installation methods are inefficient due to the need for complex visual scanning systems, increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of electrical connectors with a robotic installation feature, such as a slot configured for interaction with an end effector, allowing for accurate identification and movable control by robotic installers, enabling efficient horizontal and vertical installation through a predefined shape like an equal armed cross or hexagonal slot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual installation is used, then installation accuracy can be maintained, but installation speed decreases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector housing provides its own identification features (geometric shapes, slots, protrusions) that enable the robotic installer to locate and grasp it without external visual scanning systems. The housing essentially identifies itself to the robotic installer through its inherent structural features.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification features on the housing act as an intermediary between the robotic installer and the housing itself, enabling the robotic gripper to locate and grasp the housing without requiring complex visual scanning systems.
2Extent of automation
If conventional electrical connectors are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but robotic installation capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The identification system is segmented into distinct geometric features (slots, protrusions, recesses) that are independently defined on the housing, allowing the robotic installer to interact with specific features rather than requiring a complete visual scan of the entire connector.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific localized features (such as slots or protrusions) are defined on the housing at particular locations to provide identification and grasping points, rather than requiring complex features across the entire connector structure.
3Measurement precision
If complex visual scanning systems are used, then robotic installer can identify connectors, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing provides its own identification features that enable the robotic installer to locate and grasp it directly, eliminating the need for external visual scanning systems for identification purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector comprises a housing defining an outer surface, a wire cable at least partially disposed in the housing, and a robotic installation feature at least temporarily attached to or defined in the outer surface of the housing, wherein the robotic installation feature defines a slot that is configured to be interacted with by an end effector of a robotic installer during robotic installation of the electrical connector with a corresponding electrical connector. A method of robotic installation of the electrical connector comprises identifying the robotic installation feature, inserting at least two members of the end effector into the slot, expanding the at least two members of the end effector along at least one of two axes to thereby fix the at least two members therein and obtain movable control of the electrical connector, and installing the electrical connector with the corresponding electrical connector.