Actuator System Plug Retention via Rotatable Union Nut
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical plug connections in actuator systems, such as those used in adjustable furniture, are prone to unintentional disconnection, leading to loss of functionality and potential damage from water or disinfectants, especially during transportation or cleaning, and existing solutions like locking union nuts require complex assembly and can be time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable union nut with a spring leg that locks into a groove, allowing the plug to be securely inserted and locked in place without the need for additional components, ensuring the plug remains connected and preventing accidental disconnection, while being easily mounted on the socket before plug insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional clamp connectors are used to fix the plug, then the plug can be easily inserted, but it may unintentionally fall out during transportation or cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The union nut is pre-mounted on the socket before plug insertion. The spring leg is pre-positioned to engage with the groove, creating a preliminary locking mechanism that prevents the plug from falling out during transportation or cleaning, while still allowing easy insertion through the opening in the union nut
2Reliability
If a locking union nut with additional components is used to prevent plug disconnection, then the plug connection stability is improved, but the assembly becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged into a single integrated union nut component. The spring leg is formed as part of the union nut itself, eliminating the need for separate locking components. This integration maintains reliable plug connection while simplifying the assembly process to only require mounting the union nut on the socket and rotating it to the locked position
Solution Approach 2:
The spring leg automatically engages with the groove when the union nut is rotated to the locked position, creating a self-locking mechanism. The spring leg's elastic deformation provides the locking action without requiring additional actuators or complex mechanisms, reducing assembly complexity while ensuring reliable plug retention
3Reliability
If the union nut is divided into two parts with locking means, then the plug can be locked, but the assembly work becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The union nut is designed as a single integrated component with the spring leg formed as part of its structure. This eliminates the need to assemble multiple parts (first part forming almost closed circle, second part closing the circle) and reduces assembly time to simply mounting the union nut on the socket and rotating it to engage the spring leg with the groove
Solution Approach 2:
The spring leg is pre-formed as an integral part of the union nut during manufacturing, with the groove engagement surface pre-positioned. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex assembly operations during installation, reducing assembly time while maintaining reliable plug locking capability
4Device complexity
If the plug is not secured in the socket, then the assembly is simple, but water and disinfectants may penetrate into the housing and cause damage to electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The union nut is pre-mounted on the socket before final assembly, creating a preliminary seal around the plug connection. The spring leg engages with the groove to lock the plug in position, preventing water and disinfectant penetration during cleaning while maintaining relatively simple assembly procedures
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
The solution provides a simple, user-friendly mechanism to securely retain the plug in the socket, eliminating assembly complexities and preventing accidental disconnection, thus ensuring reliable operation and protection against water and dust ingress.
Implementation Method 1
a spring leg, constructed near the socket, which, by going into mesh with a groove in the side wall of the union nut
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
An actuator system comprising a housing (2, 19) having at least one socket (6) for the insertion of an electrical plug (7). The housing (2, 19) is provided with an arrangement which is capable of retaining an electrical plug, preferably of the Jack, DIN or Minifit type, inserted into said socket, said arrangement comprising a union nut (8) which may be retained in a position above the opening of the socket (6), and which at the same time surrounds the plug (7), said union nut (8) being ro-tatable between an inoperative position in which the plug (7) may freely be inserted and removed, and another position which is a locked position, in which the plug (7) cannot be inserted and, if it is already inserted, cannot be removed.