Angled Electrical Plug Locking Ring Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical angle plug connectors face issues with reduced mechanical strength due to radial constriction from external threads, positional tolerance problems, and potential detachment of screw-on ring bodies, leading to unreliable axial holding forces.
Innovation Solution
An electrical angle connector design featuring a separate locking ring with a latching device that secures the flange sleeve to the connector housing via a spring element, eliminating the need for external threads and ensuring precise axial positioning, thereby enhancing mechanical strength and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external threads are used to attach the ring body to the connector housing, then the ring body can be securely fixed, but the radial constriction reduces mechanical strength due to reduced wall thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The counter bearing is divided into separate components: a ring body and a locking ring. The locking ring is inserted into a locking groove on the connector housing, eliminating the need for external threads on the connector housing while maintaining secure fixation. This segmentation allows the connector housing to maintain its structural integrity without radial constriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The threading function is extracted from the connector housing and transferred to the locking ring assembly. The locking groove is formed directly on the connector housing surface, and the locking ring provides the threading and locking functions separately, removing the harmful radial constriction from the connector housing structure.
2Ease of operation
If a screw-on ring body is used, then axial positioning can be adjusted, but tolerance in setting the axially correct position reduces precision
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical screw-on adjustment system is replaced with a snap-fit locking mechanism. The locking ring features a locking protrusion that engages with a corresponding locking groove, providing precise axial positioning through geometric constraint rather than threaded adjustment. This eliminates cumulative tolerances associated with multiple screw-on components.
3Ease of manufacture
If a screw-on ring body is used, then initial assembly is simple, but the ring body can become detached over service life reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The locking groove and locking protrusion are designed with interference fit geometry that creates a self-locking mechanism. The elastic deformation of the locking ring during assembly ensures permanent engagement, preventing detachment during service. The design anticipates and prevents loosening before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter bearing assembly combines the ring body made of one material with a locking ring made of another material, allowing optimization of each component for its specific function. The locking ring can be made from a more elastic material to ensure secure engagement, while the ring body maintains its structural requirements.
4Reliability
If threads are formed on the connector housing, then secure attachment is achieved, but the radial constriction thins the material reducing mechanical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is segmented into two separate elements: a locking groove formed on the connector housing and a locking ring with corresponding locking protrusion. This eliminates the need for threads on the connector housing, preserving wall thickness and mechanical strength while maintaining secure attachment through the interlocking geometry.
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 robust and stable connection capable of absorbing high axial forces without material constriction, maintaining precise axial positioning and increasing mechanical strength by eliminating thread-induced weaknesses and positional tolerance issues.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (18) which is arranged in a space between the inside (11) of the flange sleeve (6) and an outside (12) of the first connector housing section (3) and which generates an axial spring force
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an angled connector (1) with an angled connector housing (2) and with a flange sleeve (6) that circumferentially surrounds the connector housing (2) in the area of a first connector housing section (3), wherein the flange sleeve (6) is attached to the first connector housing section (3) by means of an axial retaining device (9) acting in the direction of a longitudinal axis (A) of the first connector housing section (3), wherein the axial retaining device (9) has a radial stop (10) that extends from an inner side (11) of the flange sleeve (6) towards an outer side (12) of the first connector housing section (3), and has a counter bearing (13) which is operatively connected to the first connector housing section (3) to determine the axial position relative to each other, and the axial retaining device (9) has a spring element (18).which is arranged in a space (31) between the inside (11) of the flange sleeve (6) and an outside (12) of the first connector housing section (3) and is held pre-tensioned between the radial stop (10) and the counter bearing (13) generating an axial spring force, wherein the counter bearing (13) has a locking ring (14) which is engaged with a locking device (16) in a locking groove (25) in the outside (12, 26) of the first connector housing section (3).