Protective Cover Connector Layout for Compact Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective covers struggle with achieving a further reducible compression dimension while maintaining mechanical strength and ease of manufacture, particularly due to the design of connectors that require long arms or multiple couplings for maintaining spacing between shielding elements.
Innovation Solution
The connectors are designed with a central web connected to the second leg of a shielding element and at least one arm connected to an adjacent shielding element, allowing direct integration without additional coupling, featuring pivotable arm sections and material bonding for compactness and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional connectors with long arms or multiple couplings are used to maintain spacing between shielding elements, then the spacing requirement is met, but the compression dimension increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into a central web and multiple arms that can pivot independently. This segmentation allows the connector to achieve the required spacing function through coordinated movement of multiple simpler components rather than requiring a single complex long-arm structure, thereby reducing the compression dimension while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector employs pivotable arms that can dynamically adjust their positions to maintain the required spacing between shielding elements during extension and retraction. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for fixed long arms, enabling a more compact compression dimension while preserving the spacing function throughout the range of motion.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional connectors with multiple couplings are used, then spacing between shielding elements is maintained, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coupling functions are merged into a single integrated connector structure consisting of a central web and multiple arms. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate parts and couplings required, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliable spacing maintenance through the coordinated action of the integrated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the central web provides structural support and attachment points, while the pivotable arms maintain spacing between shielding elements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate coupling components, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable operation.
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
This design enables an extremely compact compression dimension with reduced weight and cost-effective manufacturing, while providing higher tear resistance and load-bearing capacity compared to traditional connectors.
Implementation Method 1
The connectors can be spring elements whose spring resistance is directed either in or against the direction of possible approach of the second legs
Implementation Method 2
The central web of a connector is connected to the second leg of a shielding element, while at least one arm of this connector is connected to the second leg of an immediately adjacent shielding element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A protective cover (1) comprises a plurality of shielding elements (2, 3), which are in particular L-shaped in cross-section. The shielding elements (2, 3) are movably linked to one another by coupling connectors (5, 5a, 5b). The shielding elements (2, 3) each have a first leg (2.1, 3.1) and at least one second leg (2.2, 3.2) angled relative to its first leg (2.1, 3.1), the second legs (2.2, 3.2) being arranged with their end faces opposite each other such that the first legs (2.1, 3.1) of the immediately adjacent shielding elements (2, 3) overlap at least partially, forming a shielding surface (4) with variable length. At least one, preferably each, of the connectors (5, 5a, 5b) has a central web (5.1) which has at least two arms (5.2, 5.3) pivotably arranged on it. The central web (5.1) of a connector (5, 5a, 5b) is connected to the second leg (2.2, 3.2) of a shielding element (2, 3) and at least one arm (5.2, 5.3) of this connector (5, 5a, 5b) is connected to the second leg (2.2, 3.2) of an immediately adjacent shielding element (2, 3).