Electrical Wire Guide Link Member Assembly via Intersecting Lock Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical wire guides face difficulties in assembling multiple link members simultaneously due to the need for concentrated force application, making it challenging to fit a large number of link members together efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The electrical wire guide incorporates link members with through holes and lock protrusions that protrude in the same direction, allowing adjacent link members to be coupled by pressing them in a direction intersecting the line of alignment, along with angle limiters to restrict rotation and elastically deformable lock protrusions for secure fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If link members are coupled by pressing them in the direction of alignment using conventional bearing holes and support shafts, then the link members can be coupled together, but it becomes difficult to fit multiple link members together all at once due to concentrated force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the assembly direction from the longitudinal direction (direction of alignment) to the width direction (intersecting direction). The lock protrusions extend in the width direction and are locked to the peripheral portion of the through hole by pressing link members in the width direction, which is perpendicular to the alignment direction. This dimensional change distributes the assembly force across multiple link members simultaneously rather than concentrating it on one end.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fitting link members together by inserting support shafts into bearing holes from the longitudinal direction, the patent inverts the coupling mechanism by using lock protrusions that extend in the width direction and are locked to the through hole peripheral portion. This inversion allows all link members to be coupled simultaneously by pressing in the width direction rather than sequentially from the longitudinal direction.
2Productivity
If link members are coupled sequentially in the direction of alignment, then assembly is possible, but productivity is reduced due to the time-consuming sequential process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables simultaneous assembly of multiple link members by changing the coupling direction to the width direction, which is intersecting and perpendicular to the alignment direction. This allows all link members to be fitted together at once rather than sequentially, significantly improving productivity and reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the coupling operation for all link members into a single simultaneous action. By designing the lock protrusions to extend in the width direction and lock to the through hole peripheral portion, multiple link members can be coupled together in one operation rather than requiring separate sequential operations for each link member.
3Adaptability or versatility
If through holes are formed in link members for coupling, then link members can be coupled together, but electrical wires cannot be routed through the link members
Solution Approach 1:
The through holes in the patent serve dual functions: they act as coupling elements for joining link members together and simultaneously serve as routing paths for electrical wires. The lock protrusions lock to the peripheral portion of these same through holes, enabling both mechanical coupling and wire passage through a single structural feature, thus eliminating the need for separate coupling and routing structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables easy and efficient assembly of multiple link members simultaneously, allowing for secure coupling and reduced force requirements, while also allowing the electrical wire to be inserted from a direction perpendicular to the link members' alignment, reducing the need for complex routing and protecting terminal fittings.
Implementation Method 1
The lock protrusions may be configured to be elastically deformed when passing through the through holes
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical wire guide including a plurality of link members that are lined up along one direction, and are coupled together so as to be rotatable relative to each other. The link members are respectively provided with: through holes that extend in an intersection direction intersecting a direction in which the link members are lined up; and lock protrusions that are each provided with a claw that is locked to a peripheral portion around the corresponding through hole and protrudes in the intersection direction. The lock protrusions of the plurality of link members protrude in the same direction. The link members are coupled together by the lock protrusions being locked to the through holes.