Actuating Sleeve Thread Engagement Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector elements face challenges in efficiently transitioning thread engagement projections into locking positions and ensuring secure sealing during connection and disconnection, particularly in radial displacement mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The use of actuating arms with wedge-shaped lifting surfaces on the actuating sleeve, which engage with thread engagement projections to radially displace them into threaded engagement positions, combined with a spring tongue carrier and locking mechanism, allows for secure thread engagement and sealing ring compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring tongues are used to carry thread engagement projections, then the connector can achieve automatic return to release position, but the radial displacement mechanism becomes complex and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thread engagement projections from the spring tongue structure and relocates them to the actuating sleeve itself. The actuating sleeve now directly carries the thread engagement projections on its inner circumference, eliminating the need for separate spring tongues and their complex radial displacement mechanism. This simplification maintains reliability while reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating sleeve is given multiple functions: it acts as both the actuating mechanism for plug-in/connection and as the carrier for thread engagement projections. By integrating the projection-carrying function into the actuating sleeve, the design eliminates separate components and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the automatic return capability through the sleeve's elastic deformation.
2Productivity
If actuating sleeve is displaced axially to engage threads, then connection speed is improved, but sealing reliability during the transition phase is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions the sealing ring at the very end of the actuating sleeve, so that sealing engagement occurs automatically as the final stage of the axial displacement. The sealing ring is pre-positioned to engage the mating connector's sealing surface immediately when the actuating sleeve reaches its fully displaced position, ensuring sealing reliability is maintained throughout the rapid connection process without requiring separate sealing actions.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple actuating arms are distributed circumferentially, then uniform radial displacement is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating sleeve is segmented into multiple identical actuating arms distributed circumferentially around its inner circumference. Each arm carries a thread engagement projection and is positioned at equal angular intervals (e.g., three arms at 120 degrees). This segmentation ensures uniform radial displacement of all thread engagement projections during axial displacement, while the modular, repeating structure actually simplifies manufacturing compared to complex non-uniform mechanisms.
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 reliable plugging and unplugging of connector elements with secure thread engagement and effective sealing, ensuring efficient radial displacement and locking of thread projections into mating threads.
Implementation Method 1
The lifting surfaces can be wedge surfaces. These engage under the threaded engagement projections at several circumferential points in order to bring them into the threaded engagement position when the actuating sleeve is displaced.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a connector element (1) of an electrical connector, comprising a contact carrier (3) that is provided with one or more electrical contacts (18), an actuation sleeve (4) which surrounds the contact carrier (3), and a threaded engaging part (7) that is provided with one or more engaging thread projections (5) which are to penetrate into a mating thread (6) of a mating connector element (2). The actuation sleeve (4) can be moved from a released position, in which the thread projections (5) do not engage into the mating thread (6) and the connector element (1) can be connected to the mating connector element (2), into a locked position, in which the thread projections (5) engage into the mating thread (6) and the connector element (1) is tied to the mating connector element (2). The engaging thread projections (5) are supported by spring tongues (8) which can be moved from the released position into the locked position by axially moving the actuation sleeve (4) against the spring bias thereof. The spring tongues (8) are monolithically molded onto a spring tongue support (9) that annularly surrounds the contact carrier (3). The threaded engaging part (7) is made of plastic and forms a mating catching means (12) that cooperates with a catching means (13) of the actuation sleeve (4) in order to lock the actuation sleeve (4) into place in both the released position and the locked position.