Cable Connector Snap Fit Mechanism for Overload Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector systems face issues with insufficient traction force, leading to disconnection under external forces, which can cause cable breakage, equipment damage, and safety hazards, and existing locking structures can result in difficult separation and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A cable connection structure featuring a male and female connector with a snapping groove and inserted member that forms a snap fit, allowing for adjustable locking strength and external traction overload protection, where the inserted member is linearly movable along the radial direction of the female connector to prevent separation under excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a locking structure (such as a bolt and a nut) is used to fix the male connector and the female connector, then the connection strength is improved, but the difficulty of separation increases and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by designing the inserted member as a movable component that can transition between locked and unlocked positions. The inserted member is linearly movable along the radial direction of the female connector, allowing it to dynamically adapt between providing strong locking force during normal operation and enabling easy separation when needed. This resolves the contradiction by making the connection strength adjustable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the position and state of the inserted member to control the locking force. By changing the linear position of the inserted member along the radial direction, the locking strength can be adjusted between a locked state (providing strong connection) and an unlocked state (allowing easy separation). This enables the system to achieve both strong connection when needed and easy separation when needed.
2Reliability
If the locking structure is designed to provide strong locking force, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the risk of cable breakage and equipment damage under excessive traction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inserted member's linear movability along the radial direction enables the locking mechanism to dynamically respond to external traction forces. When excessive force is applied, the inserted member can move to reduce locking engagement, allowing controlled separation that prevents cable breakage while maintaining reliable connection under normal operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates preliminary anti-action by allowing the inserted member to move in advance before catastrophic failure occurs. When excessive traction is detected through the movement capability, the mechanism can preemptively reduce locking force or separate, preventing the harmful outcome of cable breakage or equipment damage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid locking structure is used to prevent disconnection, then the connection stability is improved, but the ability to protect against overload decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inserted member's linear movability transforms the rigid locking structure into a dynamic system. During normal operation, the inserted member maintains stable locking engagement. Under overload conditions, the inserted member can move along the radial direction to reduce engagement or separate, providing adaptability for overload protection while maintaining connection stability during normal use.
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 reliable connection strength during normal operation while protecting against excessive traction, preventing cable and equipment damage, reducing maintenance costs, and ensuring personnel safety by allowing controlled disconnection under large external forces.
Implementation Method 1
the inserted member is able to be inserted into the snapping groove and form a snap fit with the snapping portion
Implementation Method 2
the inserted member is linearly movable along a radial direction of the female connector under an external force
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connection structure, including a male connector and a female connector, further including a snapping groove provided on a sidewall of the male connector, a depth of the snapping groove is extended in parallel to a central axis of the male connector; a snapping portion protrudes from an inner sidewall of the snapping groove; and the inserted member protrudes from a sidewall of the female connector, and the inserted member is linearly movable along a radial direction of the female connector under an external force. When the male connector is connected to the female connector, the inserted member can be inserted into the snapping groove and form a snap fit with the snapping portion to prevent the male connector and the female connector from losing connection. The application ensures the stable connection between the male connector and the female connector.