Three-Port Electrical Connector with Passthrough Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing e-bikes often have insufficient electrical connectors, leading to dangling cables as some components are not connected to the hub due to a lack of available outputs, resulting in a cluttered and inefficient electrical connection system.
Innovation Solution
A modular electrical connector system with a body featuring three ports, including a first and second port with complementary configurations, and a third port connected via passthrough conductors and lateral conductors, allowing for flexible and universal connections between components, enabling easy addition or removal of connectors without disrupting the circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hub is provided with limited input and output connectors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to accommodate multiple electrical components is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple different electrical components (display, motor, sensor, light, horn) through a single connector type. The connector body includes multiple conductors that can be selectively connected to different components, allowing one hub to serve multiple functions and connect to various bicycle components without requiring different connector types for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector is segmented into multiple independent conductors (first conductor, second conductor, third conductor, fourth conductor) within a single connector body. Each conductor can be independently connected to different components, allowing flexible configuration. This segmentation enables the hub to accommodate multiple components by selectively activating different conductors based on the connected component type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate connectors are used to connect each component, then the adaptability to connect various components is improved, but the device complexity and cable management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate connector functions are merged into a single electrical connector unit. The connector integrates multiple conductors (first, second, third, fourth conductors) and multiple ports (first port, second port, third port) into one unified component. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate connectors and dangling cables, as all component connections are consolidated through this single multi-functional connector attached to the handlebar.
3Adaptability or versatility
If unused cables are left dangling when components are not connected, then the adaptability to selectively connect components is maintained, but the harmful factors including clutter and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unnecessary or unused conductor connections are extracted or removed from the connector configuration. The connector is designed so that only the conductors needed for the currently connected component are activated and connected, while unused conductors remain disconnected or are physically removed from the circuit path. This extraction eliminates dangling cables and clutter, as only the necessary electrical connections are present in the system at any given time.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle including a frame, an electrical circuit including a power source, and an electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a first port defined by a first terminal that has a first configuration, and a second port defined by a second terminal that has a second configuration complementary to the first configuration. The electrical connector further includes a third port that is distinct from the first and second ports, a plurality of passthrough conductors extending from the first port to the second port to connect the electrical connector to the electrical circuit, and at least one lateral conductor providing an electrical connection from the first port to the third port.