Universal Cable Harness Connector for Flexible Mounting Angles

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cable harness connection systems require different connector designs and assembly architectures for various vehicle installations due to varying exit angles, leading to increased part development costs, inventory complexity, and manufacturing challenges.

Innovation Solution

An electronic sensor device with a housing that includes an insertion opening for terminal pins of the cable harness connector, allowing for adjustable mounting angles between 0 and 90 degrees, using V-shaped spring contacts with chamfers and cylindrical terminal pins with chamfer tips, which are mounted on a printed circuit board, enabling flexible connection to a cable harness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different connector designs are used for different exit angles, then the cable harness can be connected at various angles, but the part development costs and inventory complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable harness connection angleVSAvoidconnector design variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal connector design where the housing contains multiple insertion openings positioned at different angles (0°, 45°, 90°) relative to the housing axis. A single connector type can accommodate various cable harness exit angles by selecting the appropriate insertion opening, eliminating the need for multiple specialized connector designs and reducing part complexity while maintaining adaptability.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connector designs are implemented, then different vehicle installations are supported, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle installation flexibilityVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed as a universal component with multiple pre-positioned insertion openings at standard angles. This allows the same housing and connector assembly to be used across different vehicle installations, simplifying manufacturing processes and assembly operations while supporting various installation configurations.

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

3Device complexity

If a single predetermined exit angle is used, then the connector design is simplified, but the adaptability to different vehicle installations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector design simplicityVSAvoidmounting angle flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented with multiple distinct insertion openings positioned at different angles (0°, 45°, 90°) relative to the housing axis. Each opening serves as an independent connection point, allowing the connector to be adapted to different mounting angles without complicating the overall connector design. The segmentation enables flexible configuration while maintaining design simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3179566B1Electronic sensor device
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP3179566B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3179566B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3179566B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A cable harness connection assembly for connecting a cable harness to a printed circuit board of an electronic device at different mounting angles, said cable harness connection assembly comprising a cable harness connector attachable to said cable harness, wherein said cable harness connector comprises terminal pins adapted to be pushed into corresponding spring contacts of a spring connector mounted on said printed circuit board at a mounting angle between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to said printed circuit board.