Rotatable Connector Member for Motor Device Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing motor apparatuses for power window systems in vehicles require multiple connector members with different orientations to accommodate various vehicle body arrangements, leading to increased manufacturing complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

A motor apparatus with a connector member that can be rotated 180 degrees to accommodate different connector orientations, allowing a single connector member to support both arrangement needs by adjusting its assembly position relative to the gear case, ensuring the connector connection portion can face either direction without protruding excessively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connector members with different orientations are prepared to accommodate various vehicle body arrangements, then adaptability to different arrangements is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to vehicle body arrangementsVSAvoidnumber of connector members
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector member is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple vehicle body arrangements through rotation. The connector connection portion can be oriented in different directions by rotating the connector member 180 degrees, allowing a single connector member to serve multiple functions for different arrangement needs (arrangement needs A and B), thereby eliminating the need for multiple specialized connector members.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The connector member is designed to be rotatable relative to the gear case, transforming from a static fixed-orientation component to a dynamic adjustable component. This rotational capability allows the connector connection portion to change its orientation from facing the front side to facing the rear side, enabling adaptation to different vehicle body arrangements without requiring multiple fixed-orientation connector members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connector members with different orientations are prepared to accommodate various vehicle body arrangements, then adaptability to different arrangements is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to vehicle body arrangementsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connector member is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple vehicle body arrangements through rotation. The connector connection portion can be oriented in different directions by rotating the connector member 180 degrees, allowing a single connector member to serve multiple functions for different arrangement needs (arrangement needs A and B), thereby eliminating the need for multiple specialized connector members.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If the connector connection portion is directed to the front side to meet arrangement needs, then adaptability to front-side arrangements is improved, but the connector may protrude excessively and affect compactness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to front-side arrangementsVSAvoidprotrusion of connector
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connector member is designed to be rotatable relative to the gear case, transforming from a static fixed-orientation component to a dynamic adjustable component. This rotational capability allows the connector connection portion to change its orientation from facing the front side to facing the rear side, enabling adaptation to different vehicle body arrangements without requiring multiple fixed-orientation connector members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2993765B1Motor device
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 MITSUBA CORP
  • EP2993765B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2993765B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2993765B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Each cross-section of the connector member assembling hole and the assembly main body 51a in a direction intersecting the insertion direction has a point-symmetrical circular shape with the insertion shaft center FC as the center. A pair of connector-side female terminals 57a, opposed to each other with the insertion shaft center FC as the center, is provided at the distal end side in the insertion direction of the assembly main body 51a, and a pair of brush-side male terminals, opposed to each other with the insertion shaft center FC as the center and to which the connector-side female terminals 57a are connected, is provided to a portion of the brush holder opposite to the connector member assembling hole. Therefore, it is possible to insert the connector member 50 into the gear case in the state of being rotated by 180 degrees about the insertion shaft center FC, and it is possible to cope with arrangement needs which are different by 180 degrees in a connection direction of the external connector, using one connector member 50.