Ribbon Cable Connector Assembly With Track-Guided Cover Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for ribbon cables in industrial control and network systems lack efficient and universal solutions for easy assembly and secure connection, particularly in maintaining proper alignment and securing the ribbon cable within the connector.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with a cable organizer and a cover that slides along a track, allowing for easy installation and secure entrapment of the ribbon cable, utilizing a universal cover and cable organizer for various applications, ensuring proper alignment and secure connections across different types of connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional connector design is used for ribbon cables, then the connector structure is simple, but the alignment and securing of the ribbon cable becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional components: a housing, a cable organizer, and a cover. The cable organizer is a separate element that can be positioned within the housing to receive and align the ribbon cable, while the cover encloses the assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, making the overall assembly process easier despite increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable organizer acts as an intermediary element between the housing and the ribbon cable. It provides a structured interface that guides the ribbon cable into proper alignment and secures it in place, facilitating easier connection without requiring complex direct integration between the housing and cable.
2Reliability
If a secure entrapment mechanism is implemented for the ribbon cable, then the connection reliability improves, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable organizer is pre-positioned within the housing before the ribbon cable is inserted. This preliminary arrangement creates a ready-made guide and securing structure that automatically aligns and entrapsthe cable as it is placed, ensuring reliable connection without requiring additional time-consuming adjustment steps during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover, when closed, automatically entrapsthe ribbon cable between itself and the cable organizer through the natural closing motion. The design allows the cable to be secured by the simple act of closing the cover, which self-performs the entrapment function without requiring separate securing operations, thus maintaining assembly speed while ensuring reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal cover and cable organizer design is used across different connector types, then component loss is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover and cable organizer are designed as universal components that can be used across different connector types. The cable organizer features a standardized structure with guide walls and tracks that accommodate various ribbon cable configurations, while the cover includes a rib that slides along tracks in the housing. This universality reduces component loss and simplifies inventory management, though it requires precise manufacturing to ensure proper fit and function across different applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for receiving a ribbon cable is provided. The connector includes a housing including an open top and a guide wall including a track and a cable organizer configured to be positioned within an interior of the housing and the open top and to receive the ribbon cable along a surface thereof. The connector also includes a cover configured to selectively cover the open top of the housing to enclose the cable organizer within the interior of the housing. The cover includes a rib configured to slide along the track so that the cover moves relative to the housing along a linear trajectory.