Vehicle Retainer Fingers Prevent Cable Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retainers in vehicles often allow for incorrect positioning of elongated members between adjacent receptacles, leading to issues like rattling and damage over time.
Innovation Solution
A retainer design featuring first and second receptacles with extending fingers that obstruct the gap between them, preventing improper positioning of elongated members and guiding them into channels for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional retainers with adjacent receptacles are used, then multiple elongated members can be held in place, but incorrect positioning of elongated members between receptacles occurs leading to rattling and damage
Solution Approach 1:
A finger structure is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent receptacles. This finger extends from one receptacle toward the next, creating a physical barrier that guides elongated members into correct positioning and prevents them from becoming lodged between receptacles during insertion or removal operations
2Manufacturing precision
If fingers extend between receptacles to prevent incorrect positioning, then positioning accuracy improves, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The finger is merged with the receptacle structure, forming an integrated unit where the finger extends directly from the receptacle body. This integration approach adds positioning functionality without requiring separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer is disclosed that is configured to receive at least one elongated member in a vehicle. The retainer includes a body and first and second receptacles that are supported by the body. The first receptacle defines a first channel that is configured to receive a first elongated member (e.g., a cable, a wire, a rod, etc.) and includes a first finger that extends towards the second receptacle. The second receptacle defines a second channel that is configured to receive a second elongated member (e.g., a cable, a wire, a rod, etc.) and includes a second finger that extends towards the first receptacle. In certain embodiments, the first finger and the second finger may be formed as discrete structures so as not to interfere with flexure of the first receptacle and the second receptacle during insertion and removal of the first elongated member and the second elongated member.