Rotatable Connector Adjuster Rod for Gear Shift Cables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector systems for control cables in gear shift systems of vehicles only allow for adjustment of cable length, not angular position, leading to excessive wear and requiring specialized tools for angular adjustment, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A connector system comprising a terminal unit and an adjuster rod with a rotatable and lockable design, allowing for easy angular adjustment without specialized tools, where the adjuster rod can be moved into different axial positions to adjust the cable's angular and longitudinal positions, with a locking mechanism to secure the rod against rotation and axial movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If control cable tension is increased to improve driving comfort and gearbox responsiveness, then cable tension and reaction speed are improved, but frictional contact increases making angular adjustment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling angular adjustment to be performed before the control cable is tensioned. The adjuster rod can be rotated to the desired angular position while the cable is loose, and only after positioning is complete is the cable tensioned and the rod locked. This sequence eliminates the problem of high friction preventing angular adjustment under tension.
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized expert tools are used to adjust angular position under tension, then angular adjustment is achieved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the adjuster rod with a hand-operable securing means that allows operators to perform angular adjustment without specialized expert tools. The securing means can be manually operated to lock the adjuster rod at the desired angular position, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for expensive specialized adjustment tools.
3Device complexity
If angular adjustment is not provided in the connector system, then device complexity is reduced, but cable wear increases due to permanent torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the connector system into distinct functional components: the terminal unit, the adjuster rod for angular adjustment, and the operable securing means for locking. This modular segmentation allows angular adjustment capability to be added without overly complicating the overall system, as each component has a specific function and can be independently designed and maintained.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
This invention refers to a connector system (1) and a method for connecting an elongate body (3) to a movable body (5), particularly a control cable (3) to a movable part (5) of a gear shift system (11) in a vehicle. The connector system (1) comprises a terminal unit (13), an adjuster rod (9) and an operable securing means (33), wherein the adjuster rod (9) is connectable to the elongate body (3) and the terminal unit (13) is connectable to the movable body (5). The connector system (1) is characterised in that the adjuster rod (9) has a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the terminal unit (13), and wherein the adjuster rod (9) is rotatable relative to the terminal unit (13) in the first axial position and locked against rotation relative to the terminal unit (13) in the second axial position, and the operable securing means (33) is able to secure the adjuster rod (9) against an axial movement relative to the terminal unit (13) in the second axial position. The inventive connecting method uses the inventive connector system (1) and comprises the steps: - moving the adjuster rod (9) into a first axial position relative to the terminal unit (13), in which the adjuster rod (9) is rotatable relative to the termi- nal unit (13), - then adjusting the angular position of the adjuster rod (9) relative to the terminal unit (13), - then moving the adjuster rod (9) into a second axial position relative to the terminal unit (13), in which the adjuster rod (9) is locked against rotation relative to the terminal unit (13), and - then securing the adjuster rod (9) against an axial movement relative to the terminal unit (13).