Flexible Electrical Coupling Member for Offset Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The aesthetic issue of protruding electrical cables between electronic equipment in homes, due to the inability to achieve exact cable lengths, is exacerbated by positional offsets causing tension on connection ports.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connection member with flexible conductors and a sheath design that allows for excess length and flexibility in three directions and rotations, preventing tension on connections and enabling adaptation to equipment offsets, while being pressed against the equipment for concealment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid electrical cables of fixed length are used to connect electronic equipment, then the connection is stable and reliable, but the cables protrude laterally and alter the aesthetics when equipment positioning varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible sheath (gaine flexible) that can bend and deform to accommodate equipment positioning variations. The sheath contains the cables and allows them to flex without exposing them laterally, maintaining aesthetics while preserving connection stability through the flexible intermediate section that adapts to positional offsets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by making the intermediate section of the sheath flexible rather than rigid, allowing the cable assembly to dynamically adapt its shape and length according to the actual positioning of the equipment. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction by enabling the connection to remain stable while the external appearance adapts to aesthetic requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cables are made longer to accommodate equipment offset, then positional variations can be absorbed, but tension is exerted on the connection ports altering aesthetics and potentially damaging connections
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sheath absorbs the excess cable length while containing the cables, allowing positioning flexibility without transmitting tension forces to the connection ports. The sheath acts as a flexible buffer that accommodates offset variations aesthetically.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible intermediate section of the sheath acts as an intermediary element between the equipment connection points, absorbing positional variations and preventing direct transmission of tension forces. This mediator allows adaptability while protecting the connection ports from harmful forces.
3Shape
If exact cable length is used to match equipment spacing, then aesthetics are improved by minimizing protrusion, but any slight offset causes tension on cables and connection ports
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sheath allows the cable assembly to maintain an aesthetically pleasing compact form while internally accommodating length variations through its flexibility. This resolves the contradiction by decoupling the external aesthetic appearance from the internal cable tension management.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible intermediate section provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing potential tension forces before they can transmit to the connection ports. This preemptive flexibility protection maintains both aesthetics and connection reliability by preventing tension buildup from slight offsets.
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 solution effectively conceals cables by allowing the connection member to adapt to positional offsets without exerting tension on connections, maintaining aesthetics and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The flexibility of the sheath and the extra length of the electrical conductors allow the connection member to adapt to relative positional offsets of the electronic equipment
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
Electrical coupling member, comprising electrical conductors (2) extending in a casing (3) which has end segments (4) that are generally parallelepipedal in cross-section and each have at least one main face (4.2). The conductors have ends coupled to two external connectors (6) which both project from one of the main faces and are both guided out of the casing on the same side of said casing. The casing comprises at least one flexible intermediate segment (5) freely receiving an overlength of the electrical conductors. Set of superposed electronic devices coupled by a coupling member of this type.