Protector Pressing Piece for Clamp Assembly in Narrow Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the assembly of a protector for an electric wire bundle, the complex shape of a vehicle body often results in insufficient space for finger access, making it difficult to insert a clamp into a locking hole, especially in narrow areas, requiring a change in the fixed position or structure.
Innovation Solution
A protector design featuring a pressing piece on the main body part that extends perpendicular to the clamp and is positioned laterally, allowing for easier assembly by enabling the clamp to be pushed into the locking hole without requiring finger access on the opposite side, and utilizing a bolt for temporary fixation to reduce the pressing force needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamp is used to lock the protector to the bracket, then the protector can be securely fixed to the vehicle body, but sufficient finger access space is required for assembly which is not available in narrow installation areas
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pressing the clamp from the opposite side (which requires finger access), the invention inverts the pressing direction by extending the pressing piece from the same side as the clamp. This allows the operator to press both the clamp and pressing piece from the accessible side, eliminating the need for finger access to the opposite side while maintaining secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a pressing piece that extends in a direction perpendicular to the clamp's axis, creating a new dimensional approach for applying force. This allows assembly from the same side rather than requiring access from the opposite side, solving the accessibility problem in narrow spaces.
2Device complexity
If the pressing piece is positioned on the axis of the clamp, then the structure is simple, but the pressing force cannot be effectively applied in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing piece is deliberately positioned asymmetrically, laterally offset from the clamp's axis. This asymmetric positioning allows the pressing piece to extend toward the narrow space while the clamp remains centered for effective locking, optimizing both structural function and assembly accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the protector are assigned different functions: the clamp is positioned for optimal locking engagement with the bracket, while the pressing piece is positioned laterally to provide accessible pressing surfaces in narrow spaces. This local optimization of function resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A protector includes: a main body part including an accommodation part which accommodates an electric wire bundle; a cover part which is attached to the main body part and covers the accommodation part; and a clamp which is formed on the main body part and is inserted into a locking hole formed in a mounting target part to lock the mounting target part. The protector further includes a pressing piece which is formed on a side of the main body part opposite to the clamp, extends along a plane perpendicular to an axis of the clamp, and is disposed at a position laterally deviating from the axis of the clamp.