Communication Outlet Shutter and Wire Manager for Debris Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RJ-45 type outlets are prone to debris and foreign object insertion, and wire termination is difficult and time-consuming due to the lack of effective protection mechanisms and terminal blocks.

Innovation Solution

A communication connector design featuring a locking shutter subassembly and a wire manager system that prevents debris and foreign objects from entering the plug-receiving opening and facilitates easy cable termination without terminal blocks, using a guide sleeve and housing doors to position wires correctly for connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional RJ-45 type outlet is used, then the plug-receiving opening is accessible, but debris and foreign objects may be inserted into the opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris and foreign object insertionVSAvoidplug insertion accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter is positioned in advance to cover and protect the plug-receiving opening before any plug or debris is inserted. The shutter acts as a preliminary protective barrier that can be opened only when a proper plug is being inserted, preventing harmful factors from entering the opening during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter serves as an intermediary element between the external environment and the plug-receiving opening. It mediates by selectively allowing access - blocking debris and foreign objects while permitting legitimate plug insertion when opened by the latch mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If individual wires are pressed into slots in a terminal block, then cable termination is achieved, but the process is difficult and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable termination speedVSAvoidwire termination difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the time-consuming manual wire pressing operation by removing the traditional terminal block structure. Instead, wires are inserted into channels where they are automatically secured, eliminating the need for users to individually press wires into slots, thus dramatically improving productivity and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wire management system performs self-service by automatically securing wires within the channels as they are inserted. The structure itself provides the termination function without requiring additional manual pressing actions, allowing the outlet to terminate cables efficiently through its inherent design rather than requiring user effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3363082B1Communication outlet with shutter mechanism and wire manager

Publication Date: 2021.09.22 LEVITON MFG CO INC

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AI summary

A communication connector with a housing door pivotably coupled to a housing. The housing door is rotatable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions. The housing door is configured to be electrically connected to at least one grounding component of a cable. The housing has a door gripping portion. One of the housing door and the door gripping portion has a projection configured to engage another one of the housing door and the door gripping portion when the housing door is in the closed position. When so engaged, the projection is configured to electrically connect the housing door with the housing to thereby electrically connect the at least one grounding component with the housing.