Wire Protection Member Locking Mechanism for Pipe Connection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire protection systems face challenges in reliably connecting a protector to a pipe, especially when a flexible member like a corrugated tube is not used, due to the absence of concave parts in the pipe and the difficulty in creating a stable complex structure for connection.

Innovation Solution

A wire protection member comprising a pipe and two protectors with body and cover parts connected perpendicularly, featuring locking parts that restrict positional deviation in the circumferential and axial directions, where the protector-side locking parts fit into pipe-side locking holes, allowing for stable connection without requiring a complex structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a protector is connected to a pipe without using a corrugated tube, then the routing pathway becomes fixed and stable, but the connection reliability deteriorates due to the absence of concave parts for engagement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting pathway stabilityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into two separate components: a locking protrusion on the pipe and a locking recess on the protector. This segmentation allows each component to have a simple structure while achieving reliable connection through their complementary engagement, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking protrusion of the pipe is inserted into the locking recess of the protector, creating a nested connection structure. This nesting mechanism provides stable connection without requiring complex structures on either component, thus improving connection reliability while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a complex connecting structure is added to the pipe or protector, then connection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconnecting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is segmented into a protrusion on one component and a recess on the other, avoiding the need for either component to have a complex structure. This segmentation achieves reliable connection through simple complementary geometries, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding complex restraining structures to prevent positional deviation, the invention uses a simple protrusion-recess locking mechanism where the protector's locking recess passively receives the pipe's locking protrusion. This inverted approach achieves positional deviation restriction without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a locking mechanism is added to restrict positional deviation, then connection stability improves, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into simple protrusion and recess features that can be directly formed during pipe and protector manufacturing processes. This segmentation allows the locking structures to be created using standard molding or machining operations, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking protrusion and recess are designed with optimized dimensional parameters that enable reliable engagement while being compatible with standard manufacturing tolerances. By carefully selecting the size and shape parameters of the locking features, the invention achieves connection stability without requiring precision manufacturing or special processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3573203B1Wire protection member
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD
  • EP3573203B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3573203B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3573203B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To ensure reliability when connecting a protector to a pipe. A wire protection member (10) is provided with a pipe (20) and a protector (30) that define a routing pathway of a wire (90). The protector (30) has a body part (31) and a cover part (32) that cover an end part of the pipe (20), the body part (31) and cover part (32) being connected to each other from a direction intersecting the axial direction of the pipe (20). The body part (31) and cover part (32) are provided with protector-side locking parts (body-side protusion (38), cover-side protusion (44), accommodating part (47). The pipe (20) is provided with pipe-side locking parts (hole (21,21B), protruding locking part (27)) that, when the body part (31) and the cover part (32) are connected, fit together in a receding/protruding manner with the protector-side locking parts from a direction intersecting the axial direction and restrict positional deviation in the circumferential direction and axial direction of the protector (30) and the pipe (20).