Rotatable Cable Outlet for Space-Saving Connector Housings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector housings for harsh industrial environments are not robust enough and lack flexibility in adapting to installation spaces, with separate mounting brackets prone to damage and limited in bending large-diameter cables.

Innovation Solution

A connector housing with a cable entry opening and angled cable exit nozzle, featuring a rotatable and fixed connection between the cable entry and exit, allowing for flexible direction adjustment and space-saving routing of cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate mounting bracket is used to enable angled cable exit, then flexibility in cable routing direction is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to additional separate components that can be damaged or lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing direction flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of separate components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the mounting bracket functionality directly into the connector housing by forming an angled cable exit spigot as an integral part of the housing structure. This merging eliminates separate mounting bracket components, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to route cables at angles. The spigot is fixed to the cable entry opening and can be rotated circumferentially to achieve different cable exit directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector housing with the rotatable angled cable exit spigot serves multiple functions: it provides structural housing, cable entry/exit guidance, and adjustable cable routing direction control all in one integrated component. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets while maintaining adaptability to different installation spaces and cable routing requirements.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate mounting bracket is used to enable angled cable exit, then cable routing flexibility is improved, but reliability worsens due to components being easily damaged or lost in harsh industrial environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing flexibilityVSAvoidcomponent durability in harsh environments
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the mounting bracket functionality into the connector housing itself through the integrated angled cable exit spigot, the patent eliminates separate components that could be damaged or lost. The spigot becomes an inherent part of the housing structure, ensuring it remains with the connector and cannot be misplaced or damaged independently in harsh industrial environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a mounting bracket is used to bend cables, then cable exit angle adjustment is improved, but the ability to handle large-diameter cables worsens due to limited bending force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable exit angle adjustmentVSAvoidbending force for large-diameter cables
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated angled cable exit spigot provides a structurally robust solution for cable routing compared to separate mounting brackets. The spigot's integration with the connector housing allows it to utilize the housing's structural strength to guide and support large-diameter cables, providing sufficient bending force that separate brackets cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed-angled connector housings are stocked for different applications, then adaptability to installation spaces is improved, but inventory complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to installation spacesVSAvoidinventory variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the cable exit direction through the rotatable angled cable exit spigot. Instead of requiring multiple fixed-angled connector variants, a single connector housing with a rotatable spigot can adapt to different installation spaces by rotating the spigot to the required angle, eliminating the need to stock multiple fixed-angled versions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single connector housing with the rotatable angled cable exit spigot performs the function of multiple fixed-angled connectors. The spigot can be rotated to different positions to accommodate various cable routing directions and installation spaces, making one connector type universally applicable where previously multiple specialized types were needed.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4211756B1Rotatable cable outlet piece for a plug connector housing
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 HARTING ELECTRIC STIFTUNG & CO KG
  • EP4211756B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4211756B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a plug connector housing having a cable through-opening (8) with a substantially circular cross-section. The plug connector housing (1) has a cable outlet piece (5), which substantially has the shape of an angled cylinder. The cable outlet piece (5) can be fastened to the cable through-opening (8) of the plug connector housing and is mounted for rotation in the peripheral direction relative to the cable through-opening (8).