Cable Connector Fixture Plate Locking for Robotic Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cables are prone to damage due to manual handling during plug and unplug operations, leading to defects and process bottlenecks, as they are typically unrestricted and susceptible to contact damage or excessive force.
Innovation Solution
A fixture plate is locked into a fixture plate holder using a key housing, key pin, and key spring mechanism, allowing only robots to handle cable connectors, with vacuum, air compressor, or electromagnet systems to unlock and lock the fixture plate, facilitating visual inspection and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of cable connectors is allowed, then ease of operation is improved, but cable damage and defects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable connectors are extracted from direct human handling by being mounted on a fixture plate that is locked into a fixture plate holder. Only the fixture plate can be removed by robots using the key housing mechanism, thereby extracting the cable connectors from the harmful manual handling environment while maintaining operational accessibility through automated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture plate acts as an intermediary between the cable connectors and the handling system. Instead of humans directly handling cable connectors, the fixture plate serves as a protective carrier that can be manipulated by robotic systems through the key housing interface, thereby mediating the interaction to prevent damage.
2Reliability
If fixture plate is locked into fixture plate holder, then cable connector protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into distinct functional components: the key housing with keyway, the key pin, and the key spring. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function (engagement, positioning, locking force) while keeping the overall design modular and maintainable, reducing the complexity burden of the protection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The key spring provides automatic locking force as soon as the key housing is inserted into the fixture plate holder, without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The spring-loaded key pin automatically engages the keyway, providing self-service locking that simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining reliable protection.
3Reliability
If robot handles fixture plate, then cable connector safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The key housing mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the interface for robotic handling, enables secure locking of the fixture plate, and allows for controlled removal and reattachment. This multi-functionality means that a single simple interface design serves both the automated robot operations and the security requirements, maintaining ease of operation for the automated system while improving cable connector safety.
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
Prevents human interaction with cable connectors, reducing damage and enabling automated handling, thus minimizing cable defects and process interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
A key spring force imposed by the key spring on the key pin moves the key pin into a locked position within the key housing and the fixture plate holder
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for protecting at least two cable connectors. A robot inserts a key housing of a fixture plate into a fixture plate holder hole in a fixture plate holder. The robot locks the fixture plate into the fixture plate holder via use of the key housing, a key pin, and a key spring which is mechanically coupled to the key pin. A key spring force imposed by the key spring on the key pin moves the key pin into a locked position within the key housing and the fixture plate holder. The locked position mechanically locks the fixture plate into the fixture plate holder. The key pin and the key spring are part of either the fixture plate or the fixture plate holder. The at least two cable connectors is attached to a top surface of the fixture plate.