Protector With Segmented Temporary Holding Unit for Connector Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wire harness protectors experience instability during the temporary hold of connectors, which can interrupt installation operations in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A protector with a temporary holding unit that includes a first holding part engageable with a flange's first portion and a second holding part located remotely, allowing the connector to be temporarily held by overlapping the holding unit and flange when viewed from the insertion direction, providing stability and preventing tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single holding part is used to temporarily hold the connector, then the structure is simple, but the stability of the temporary hold is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary holding unit is divided into multiple holding parts (first holding part and second holding part) that engage with different portions of the connector flange. This segmentation allows each holding part to independently contribute to stability while maintaining overall structural simplicity through modular design.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the holding parts are located close to each other, then the temporary holding unit is compact, but the connector may tilt during temporary hold
Solution Approach 1:
The holding parts are positioned at different locations on the temporary holding unit structure, utilizing spatial distribution in multiple dimensions. This dimensional arrangement prevents connector tilting by creating a stable geometric configuration without requiring excessive volume.
3Ease of operation
If the connector is not temporarily held, then the installation operation may be interrupted by the unconnected connector, but adding a temporary holding mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary holding unit is integrated with the protector body as a unified structure, merging the protection function and temporary holding function into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate temporary holding devices, reducing overall complexity while ensuring operational continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
A protector includes a protector body to hold a wire member and a temporary holding unit to temporarily hold a connector provided to an end of the wire member. The temporary holding unit includes a first holding part engageable with the first portion of the flange of the connector, and a second holding part located remote from the first holding part and engageable with the second portion of the flange of the connector. With the temporary holding unit temporarily holding the connector, the first holding part and the second holding part are located in an area where the temporary holding unit and the flange overlap one over the other, when viewed from an insertion direction.