RJ45 Connector Guide Device for Conductor Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RJ45 connectors face challenges in efficiently connecting strands to cutting contacts due to their small size and complex structure, making manual connection time-consuming and requiring multiple parts or complex production processes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a guide device with arcuate ramps and insertion openings to guide strands to cutting contacts, allowing for easy and precise alignment and connection, reducing the risk of accidental contact and simplifying the production process by using a single type of cutting contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If cutting contacts are arranged in two rows spaced apart to reduce connector width, then compactness is improved, but strand connection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector widthVSAvoidstrand connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A guide device is introduced as an intermediary component between the strands and the cutting contacts. This guide device includes guide channels that direct the strands along a predetermined path, ensuring they reach the correct cutting contacts in the second row without accidentally contacting the first row. The guide device mediates the connection process, making it easier and more reliable while maintaining the compact two-row arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If different cutting contacts or two-level baseboard structure is used to facilitate strand contacting, then connection ease is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrand contactingVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device serves multiple functions: it guides strands to the correct cutting contacts, positions strands at the appropriate level, prevents accidental contact with wrong contacts, and works with standard single-level baseboards and uniform cutting contacts. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for complex two-level baseboards or different types of cutting contacts, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining ease of connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual connection of strands to cutting contacts is performed, then connection precision can be achieved, but connection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection precisionVSAvoidconnection speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning and pre-aligning the strands before they reach the cutting contacts. The guide channels are designed to automatically position strands at the correct height and angle, ensuring they are ready for immediate contact with the cutting contacts. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming manual alignment while maintaining high connection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2856558B1Rj45 connector with guide device for conductors
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2856558B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2856558B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2856558B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an RJ45 connector (1) with a baseboard (10) for connecting to conductors (22) of a cable (20), and with a plurality of insulation displacement contacts (12) to accept the conductors (22), wherein the insulation displacement contacts (12) are arranged in two rows (14, 16) on one side of said baseboard (10), the two rows (14, 16) are positioned at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the cable (20) to be connected, and the RJ45 connector (1) comprises a guide device (30) to guide the conductors (22) for connection to the row (16) of insulation displacement contacts (12) that is further from the end of the cable, wherein the guide device (30) has ramps (34) made in an arc shape to guide the conductors (22).