Wire Comb Assembly With Dual Indicia for Terminal Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of migrating wires from an old device to a new device is tedious and time-consuming, often resulting in incorrect connections that can cause safety hazards and damage due to similar wire colorings and lack of effective labeling.

Innovation Solution

A wire comb with a comb assembly that organizes and retains wires, featuring interior and exterior indicia to guide correct wire positioning and connection, allowing for easier migration by aligning wires with the terminal nomenclature of both devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional wire migration methods are used, then the process can be completed, but it is tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire migration speedVSAvoidtime required for wire migration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wire comb allows wires to be pre-organized and labeled before the actual migration process. The comb assembly with its multiple slots and indicia enables the technician to prepare all wire connections in advance, then transfer them as a group to the new device, significantly reducing the time required for the migration itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wire comb serves as an intermediary tool between the old device and the new device. It temporarily holds and organizes multiple wires during the transition, allowing the technician to work with the comb as a intermediate storage and organization mechanism rather than connecting wires directly from old to new device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wires are migrated without organization tools, then the process is simpler, but incorrect connections cause safety hazards and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire connection accuracyVSAvoidsafety hazards from incorrect connections
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each slot in the wire comb is equipped with specific indicia (labels, colors, or markings) that correspond to specific wire destinations. This local differentiation allows the technician to quickly identify which wire goes where by matching the indicia, ensuring accurate connections without requiring complex memorization or manual verification of each wire.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The wire comb utilizes visual indicators such as colored markings, painted indicia, or color-coded slots to differentiate between various wire destinations. This visual coding system allows rapid identification and correct pairing of wires with their corresponding terminals, eliminating guesswork and preventing incorrect connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Loss of information

If each wire is labeled individually, then wire identification is improved, but the labeling process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire identificationVSAvoidtime required for labeling
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wire comb combines multiple wire organization functions into a single tool. Rather than labeling each wire separately, the comb provides a unified structure where multiple wires are simultaneously organized and identified through the comb's indicia system. The technician labels or identifies wires once while they are held in the comb, and this information applies to all wires at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wire comb is designed to handle multiple wires of different types and destinations with a single tool. The comb assembly can accommodate various wire sizes and configurations, and the indicia system can represent multiple destination points, making it a universal solution for organizing diverse wire sets without requiring separate labeling tools for each wire type.

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

4Stability of the object's composition

If the comb assembly is complex, then wire retention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire position stabilityVSAvoidcomb assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wire comb is divided into multiple independent slots or compartments, each designed to hold a specific wire. This segmentation allows each slot to be optimized for wire retention independently, while the overall structure remains modular and manageable. The comb can be opened and closed as separate halves that clamp down on the organized wires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wire comb incorporates self-retaining features such as spring-loaded clamps, friction-fit slots, or interlocking comb teeth that automatically secure wires in place without requiring additional fastening steps. Once the wires are inserted into the comb slots, they are automatically held in position by the comb's inherent mechanical design, eliminating the need for complex external retention mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4307486A1Wire migration devices, systems and methods
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA INC
  • EP4307486A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4307486A1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP4307486A1 patent drawingFigure 1E

AI summary

A wire comb can include a comb assembly defining a plurality of openings configured to organize and retain a plurality of wires associated with a first device. The comb assembly can be configured to allow insertion and organization of the plurality of wires in an open state, and to retain the plurality of wires in a relative position in a closed state. The wire comb can include first indicia disposed within the comb assembly on an interior surface of at least a portion of the comb assembly. The first indicia can be positioned to underlay the plurality of wires to allow the wires to be organized over the first indicia in accordance with the first indicia in the open state. The wire comb can include second indicia disposed on an outer surface of the comb assembly. The second indicia can be positioned to correspond to the plurality of wires retained within the comb assembly to allow the wires to be installed into terminals of a second device in accordance with the second indicia.