Insertion Lug Design for Sealing Mat Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for equipping connector housings with sealing mats and ready-made cable ends often damage the sealing mats, especially when handling thin cables, and are not suitable for processing cables with different diameters.

Innovation Solution

A device with a cable gripper featuring an insertion lug with a widened tip that can be easily guided through the sealing mat's cable passage openings, minimizing stress on the sealing mat and allowing for the handling of various cable diameters, includes a shank thinner than the tip and a conically tapered front area for efficient penetration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an insertion lug is used to guide the cable through the sealing mat, then the assembly process is simplified, but the sealing mat is excessively stressed or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion lug is designed with a differentiated structure: a thicker tip region for penetrating the sealing mat and a thinner shank region for guiding the cable. This local variation in cross-sectional dimensions allows the tip to distribute stress over a larger area during penetration, preventing damage to the sealing mat while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Extent of automation

If a cable gripper with insertion lug is used, then cable insertion is automated, but thin cables buckle and cannot be handled properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable insertionVSAvoidcable integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion lug provides mechanical support to the cable from the front side before the cable enters the connector housing. This preliminary support prevents thin cables from buckling during the automated insertion process, allowing the cable to maintain its structural integrity throughout the assembly operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If a standardized assembly device is used, then production efficiency is high, but the device is not suitable for processing cables with different diameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidcable diameter compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cable gripper and insertion lug assembly is designed with adjustable parameters that allow adaptation to different cable diameters. The gripper can accommodate varying cable sizes while maintaining proper gripping force, and the insertion lug's geometry can be adjusted to match different cable passage openings, enabling the same device to efficiently process multiple cable types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3396794B1Device and method for the placement of connector housings with sealing mats
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 KOMAX HOLDING
  • EP3396794B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3396794B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3396794B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A device for inserting pre-assembled cable ends (12) of cables (6) into connector housings (11) provided with sealing mats (8) comprises an insertion unit (2) with a cable gripper (3) having an insertion lug (5). The cable ends (12) can be inserted into the connector housing (11) with the insertion unit (2), the sealing mats (8) having cable passage openings (27) into which cables (6) can be received in a sealing manner. The insertion lug (5) can be guided through one of the cable passage openings (27) of the sealing mat (8) during the insertion process. The insertion lug (5) has a shaft (9) and a flared tip (7).