Multimedia Socket Tapered Interface Design for Cable Strain Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multimedia sockets face challenges in maximizing the use of available space, especially when accommodating multiple coaxial connectors, leading to cramped installations and potential strain on connection cables.

Innovation Solution

The multimedia socket design features interface bodies with a taper or undercut in the axial direction, allowing for a greater distance between opposing outer walls in the taper area, enabling more efficient use of space and reliable strain relief for connection cables, while maintaining adaptation of characteristic impedances through proportional tapering of inner and outer conductors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple coaxial connectors are accommodated in the multimedia socket, then the quantity of interfaces is increased, but the available space becomes cramped and connection cables are subjected to strain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of interfacesVSAvoidavailable space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tapered axial dimension to interface bodies, creating a gradual expansion in the axial direction. This dimensional change allows connection cables to be routed through the taper area with sufficient clearance, preventing cable strain while maintaining a compact footprint on the face of the socket. The taper transforms a two-dimensional space constraint into a three-dimensional solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If interface bodies are positioned close together to maximize space, then the area utilization is improved, but connection cables cannot be properly routed without strain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearea utilizationVSAvoidcable strain relief
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By adding the axial taper dimension, the patent resolves the conflict between compact area utilization and cable strain relief. The taper creates a gradual expansion zone that provides necessary cable clearance without increasing the face area occupied by interface bodies, thus maintaining high area utilization while ensuring reliable cable routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of interface bodies by introducing a taper angle and taper length. This parameter modification creates a transition zone that gradually increases the axial distance between opposing outer walls, providing sufficient space for cable routing while keeping the interface bodies positioned close together on the socket face.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If interface bodies are positioned close together to maximize space, then the area utilization is improved, but the distance between opposing outer walls is insufficient for cable routing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearea utilizationVSAvoiddistance between outer walls
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the taper along the axial direction of interface bodies, creating a gradual expansion in length along that dimension. This allows the distance between opposing outer walls to increase progressively from the base to the tip of the taper, providing sufficient clearance for cable routing while maintaining compact positioning of interface bodies on the socket face.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2568544B1Multimedia socket
Publication Date: 2016.07.13 KATHEIN WERKE KG
  • EP2568544B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2568544B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2568544B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

The multimedia box (100) has four interfaces (130a-130d) among which two interfaces (130a,130b) are arranged in the region of input side (106) of connection cables. The tapered portions are formed over partial length of the respective interfaces (130a,130b) in the axial direction, and extended from front end of the respective interfaces to the main portion of housing (102). The distance between the opposing outer walls (136a,136b) of interfaces in the region of the tapered portions is greater than the distance between the outer walls of interfaces in the region of front end side.