Angled Strain Relief Connector Housing Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector housings for clamping and bending electrical cables lack stability against twisting and tensile forces, particularly in the non-sheathed, curved areas, which can lead to mechanical stress and damage.
Innovation Solution
A connector housing design featuring an insulating body with a square collar and an angled strain relief element that includes a receiving sleeve with a thread and pressure screw, where the strain relief element has a three-sided clamping element that can be fixed in four different orientations, providing enhanced stability and protection against twisting and tensile forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple clip mechanism is used to connect the angled connection part to the plug connector, then the assembly is easy to manufacture, but the stability against twisting and tensile forces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate modular components: the plug connector body, the angled connection part, and the strain relief element. Each segment can be manufactured independently and assembled through simple insertion, maintaining ease of manufacture while allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function, including stability features in the angled connection part
Solution Approach 2:
The strain relief element is nested within the angled connection part, which itself is inserted into the plug connector. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to be compactly integrated while maintaining simple assembly through sequential insertion without requiring complex fastening mechanisms
2Volume of moving object
If the cable runs without a jacket in the angled connection part, then the cable can be curved with small bending radius, but the cable is exposed to mechanical stress and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The angled connection part provides localized protection and structural support specifically in the curved area where the cable transitions from straight to angled routing. This localized reinforcement allows the cable to maintain a small bending radius while being protected from mechanical stress concentrated at the bend point
Solution Approach 2:
The strain relief element is positioned beforehand in the angled connection part to provide protective support before the cable is fully inserted and subjected to mechanical stress. This pre-positioned cushioning element absorbs and distributes tensile forces before they can damage the cable, particularly in the vulnerable non-sheathed curved area
3Device complexity
If the clamping arms point in the direction of the tensile force, then the structure is simple, but the cable clamp can only absorb small tensile forces
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element features an asymmetric design with a sloping surface on one side that is optimized to face the direction of cable insertion. This asymmetric geometry allows the clamping element to effectively convert radial compression from the pressure screw into axial clamping force against the cable, enabling high tensile force absorption while maintaining simple structure
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 design significantly increases the mechanical stability of the connector housing, allowing it to withstand high tensile forces and maintain stability against twisting, while reducing the curvature area of the cable, thus protecting the cable from mechanical stress and simplifying assembly.
Implementation Method 1
By screwing a pressure screw onto the thread of the receiving sleeve, the clamping element is pressed radially inwards
Implementation Method 2
the receiving sleeve being provided with a thread and a pressure screw
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
To stabilize a connector housing that has an angled strain relief element (4) which can be detachably fixed to it in various orientations, it is proposed to provide an insulating body (3) with a square collar (31) around an opening, wherein the collar (31) has a circumferential recess (32) with locking notches (33). The angled strain relief element (4) has a corresponding connection opening and a U-shaped rail (44) that surrounds the connection opening on three sides. The rail (44) has locking lugs (47) and locking hooks (46) and can be fully inserted into the recess (32) of the insulating body (4) until it locks into place. Furthermore, it is proposed to provide a receiving sleeve (48) for an electrical cable (8), which is integrally formed on the angled strain relief element (4), with clamping elements (41) distributed around the radius and pointing in the direction of the angle.By screwing a pressure screw (6) onto the receiving sleeve (4), the wedge-shaped clamping elements (41) are pressed radially inwards and the electrical cable (8) is clamped.