Aircraft Connector With Interchangeable Error-Proof Heads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft connectors lack error-proofing mechanisms, leading to potential insertion errors and increased costs due to the need for different connectors for varying battery power levels, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive to design and match.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring interchangeable error-proof heads, including error-proof protrusions and concave parts, ensuring correct polarity and preventing incorrect connections by using symmetrical outlines and interference fits, allowing for cost-effective adaptation to different aircraft models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different connectors are designed for different aircraft levels, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal connector body that can accommodate multiple error-proof heads with different polarizing key configurations. This allows a single connector body to serve multiple aircraft levels and battery power requirements by simply changing the error-proof head component, rather than designing entirely different connectors for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into separable components: a standardized connector body and interchangeable error-proof heads. The error-proof head contains the polarizing key that prevents incorrect connections. By segmenting the connector into these modular parts, the system achieves reliability through proper error-proofing while reducing complexity through component reusability.
2Reliability
If different connectors are designed for different aircraft levels, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized connector body serves as a universal base that can be paired with different error-proof heads for various aircraft levels. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of unique connector designs needed, thereby lowering tooling costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable connections across different power levels.
Solution Approach 2:
When adapting connectors for different aircraft levels, the standardized connector body is retained and reused, while only the error-proof head is changed or discarded. This approach recovers the value of the connector body design across multiple applications, reducing overall manufacturing costs compared to designing complete new connectors for each aircraft level.
3Ease of manufacture
If external markers are used for distinction, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but connection safety deteriorates due to insertion errors
Solution Approach 1:
The error-proof head incorporates an asymmetric polarizing key that physically prevents incorrect insertion. The polarizing key is positioned such that it only allows the connector to be inserted in the correct orientation, eliminating reliance on external markers that can be overlooked or misinterpreted. This asymmetric mechanical feature ensures connection safety while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to the technical field of aircraft, and discloses an aircraft and its connector. The connector of the invention comprises: a first pluggable unit (1) and a second pluggable unit (2), the end of the first pluggable unit (1) is provided with several terminal pins (11), the end of the second pluggable unit (2) is provided with several terminal sockets (21), and the terminal pin (11) and the terminal socket (21) can be operatively connected in a corresponding manner, the end of the first pluggable unit (1) and the end of the second pluggable unit (2) are also provided with an error-proof protrusion part (12) and an error-proof concave part (22) respectively. The error-proof protrusion part (12) and the error-proof concave part (22) are operatively connected in a corresponding manner. The end of the first pluggable unit (1) is provided with a first pluggable unit groove (14), the error-proof protrusion part (12) is detachably set in the first pluggable unit groove (14), the end of the second pluggable unit (2) is provided with a second pluggable unit groove (24), and the error-proof concave part (22) is set in the second pluggable unit groove (24). The connector of the invention can change the error-proof head of the connector according to different products to achieve mistake proofing of more products, and therefore reduce the cost.