Airbag Connector Annular Locking Ring Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag connector systems face challenges in miniaturization, leading to manageability issues during assembly and potential incorrect plug connections, especially in tight spaces, as they protrude and are not secure when fully inserted.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector arrangement with a plug body, annular locking ring, and resilient member, featuring a guide surface and projection mechanism that ensures secure locking only when fully inserted, along with rib and groove interactions for precise guidance and increased retention, allowing for flat design and error prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the connector is miniaturized to fit tight installation spaces, then the connector size is reduced, but the connector becomes difficult to handle during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a plug with a locking ring and a mating connector with a collar. The locking ring can rotate independently to engage or disengage from the collar, allowing for easy manual operation despite the compact overall size. This segmentation enables the small connector to be assembled and disassembled without requiring excessive force or space.
2Volume of moving object
If the connector is miniaturized, then the connector size is reduced, but the risk of incorrect assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring features an asymmetric profile with a specific engagement geometry that only matches the collar when properly aligned. The locking ring has a particular shape that allows it to engage with the collar only in the correct orientation, preventing incorrect assembly through geometric constraint rather than relying on operator skill or larger dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If the connector protrudes from the mating connector, then the locking mechanism is accessible, but the connector is not suitable for tight installation spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring is designed to rotate dynamically between two positions: engaged and disengaged. When engaged, the locking ring sits flush with or recessed within the connector body, eliminating protrusion. The rotational movement allows the locking mechanism to be actuated with a simple twisting motion, providing accessibility without requiring the connector to protrude from the mating connector.
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 secure, easy-to-handle connector system suitable for tight spaces, preventing incorrect assembly and ensuring robustness and reliability by locking the connector firmly in place, while maintaining a compact and manageable design.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member (90) which holds the locking ring (50) in a rest position (P) and which can be acted upon in a rotation direction (R) about the plug-in axis (X) with a spring force (F)
Data Source
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AI summary
Electrical connector arrangement for an airbag igniter, comprising a connector (10) with a connector body (20) having a contact holder area (30), an annular locking ring (50) movable about a plugging axis (X), attached to the connector body and concentrically surrounding the contact holder area, wherein an elastic element (90) holds the locking ring in a rest position (P), wherein the locking ring has at least one first recess (55) provided at a first end (53) which extends opposite a plugging direction (Y), diagonally to the plugging axis, forming a guide surface (52), a mating connector (100) with a plug receiving area (110) configured to receive the contact holder area (30) of the connector, wherein the plug receiving area is surrounded by a collar (101) on the outside of which a projection (102) is provided,which, when the electrical plug and mating plug are brought together, engages with the guide surface and rotates the locking ring around the plug axis in a first direction (R) against a spring force (F) of the elastic element, wherein the locking ring has a second recess (56) at a second end (54), in the fully mated state the projection and the second recess are located in a plane (E) perpendicular to the plug axis, wherein the spring force (F) rotates the locking ring against the first direction so that the projection is received in the second recess and locks the plug body with the plug receptacle.