Oxygen Sensor Cable Tie Fastener for Rattle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oxygen sensors in automotive exhaust systems are prone to rattling due to the length of electrical cables, which is undesirable and affects the stability of the emissions control system.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece cable tie with a serrated strap and a fastener designed for connection with the oxygen sensor, featuring a locking head, a pivotable locking pawl, and a ratchet-shaped projection to securely fasten the cable to the oxygen sensor and wire harness, minimizing movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a long electrical cable is used to connect the oxygen sensor to the wire harness, then the sensor can be positioned at the exhaust pipe, but the sensor becomes highly susceptible to rattling during vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the connection system by introducing a cable tie as a separate component that divides the cable into secured and flexible portions. The cable tie anchors the cable to the wire harness, creating distinct functional zones: a secured portion near the harness and a flexible portion leading to the sensor, thereby eliminating rattling while preserving sensor positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cable tie acts as an intermediary element between the electrical cable and the wire harness. This mediator component provides a secure attachment point that stabilizes the cable without requiring modifications to either the cable or harness, effectively transferring the stabilization function to a dedicated intermediate component
2Stability of the object's composition
If a cable tie with fastener is added to secure the oxygen sensor, then rattling is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single cable tie component: the strap provides wrapping and anchoring capability, the head provides structural support and locking mechanism housing, and the integrated fastener provides secure attachment to the oxygen sensor. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall system complexity despite adding stabilization functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The cable tie is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs cable anchoring, sensor attachment, and vibration damping functions. The universal design allows a single component to address multiple problems (rattling, positioning, securing) that would traditionally require multiple separate parts, thereby minimizing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A one-piece cable tie includes a locking head and an attached strap, the locking head being adapted to receive and selectively engage a portion of the strap when the tie is formed into a closed loop. The cable tie additionally includes a fastener formed onto the locking head that is designed for connection with the electrical connector for an oxygen sensor for an automotive emissions control system. The fastener includes a flattened platform that is spaced away from the top surface of the locking head by an inverted T-shaped standoff, the flattened platform being sized and shaped to be slidably disposed within a corresponding slot formed in the electrical connector. A ratchet tooth is formed onto the flat top surface of the platform and is shaped to engage the electrical connector in order to retain the fastener secured within the slot in the electrical connector.