Connector Unit Wire Orientation Guide Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connector units face challenges in orienting electric wires pulled out of connectors in one direction, leading to entanglement and potential deformation or failure of terminals due to direct force transfer, and are costly to produce.

Innovation Solution

A connector unit with a guide mechanism that directs electric wires and a pressing mechanism to restrict movement, incorporating a connector cover with axially symmetrical and rotatable design to mitigate force transfer and ensure easy alignment, while being cost-effective.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electric wires are pulled out straight from the connector, then the connector structure is simple, but the electric wires cannot be oriented in one direction and become entangled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire orientationVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the connector and the electric wires. This guide member has a guide hole that directs the wires in a specific direction, enabling proper wire orientation without complicating the connector structure itself. The guide member acts as a mediator that solves the orientation problem while keeping the connector design simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If force is applied to orient electric wires, then wire alignment is achieved, but the force transfers directly to the terminal causing deformation or failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire alignmentVSAvoidterminal connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member serves as a mediator that allows wire alignment to be achieved without applying direct force to the terminal. The guide hole provides a mechanical path that naturally directs the wire, eliminating the need for forceful manipulation that could damage the terminal connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide member is pre-installed on the connector before wire insertion. This preliminary arrangement of the guide hole establishes the correct wire path in advance, so that when wires are inserted, they naturally follow the guided direction without requiring forceful alignment that could harm the terminal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional connector covers are used, then basic protection is provided, but wire entanglement and misalignment occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire protectionVSAvoidwire layout

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member acts as an intermediary between the connector cover and the electric wires. It provides the protective function of the cover while simultaneously directing the wires through its guide hole, preventing entanglement and misalignment that would occur with conventional covers alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10411400B2Connector unit

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

In a connector unit including a connector and a connector cover that fits on the connector, the connector includes a guide means that guides electric wires in one direction, while the connector cover includes a pressing means that presses on and deforms the guide means so as to restrict the movement of the electric wires that are guided by the guide means, whereby the electric wires that are pulled out of the connector are oriented in the one direction in which the electric wires are guided by the guide means.