Electric Cable Interconnection Device with Elastic Hooking Means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric cable interconnection devices are cumbersome to assemble, prone to errors, and lack effective insulation against external factors like water and dust, with complex mechanisms that can be damaged by external forces.

Innovation Solution

A device with a simplified structure featuring a plug body and socket body with elastic hooking means and gasket elements that securely connect electric cables using screwing mechanisms, ensuring easy assembly, reliable insulation, and resistance to external forces without requiring additional locking operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional screw tightening mechanisms are used to connect electric cables, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cable retention function and the locking function into a single integrated mechanism. The cable gland body incorporates both the cable clamping function and the locking feature that engages with the socket body, eliminating the need for separate locking operations and reducing assembly steps while maintaining secure connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable gland body serves multiple functions: it secures the electric cable, provides insulation, and acts as a locking mechanism when engaged with the socket body. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall assembly process while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple separate operations are required for assembly (inserting modules, locking bodies), then each operation can be performed precisely, but the total assembly time increases and error probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed so that the cable gland body is pre-configured with integrated locking features and insulation elements. When the plug and socket bodies are brought together, the locking engagement happens automatically as part of the single insertion motion, eliminating the need for subsequent locking operations and reducing assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If rigid hooking means are used to ensure fastening resistance, then the connection withstands external forces well, but the hooks are prone to damage and breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidfastening reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mechanical properties of the hooking means from rigid to elastic. The elastic material allows the hooks to deform under load, absorbing stress and preventing catastrophic failure. This elasticity maintains fastening strength while significantly improving the reliability and damage resistance of the connection under external forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If complex locking mechanisms are used to ensure tight connections, then insulation against water and dust is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation against water and dustVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the insulation function and the locking function into a unified design. The cable gland body and socket body configuration provides both mechanical locking and environmental sealing simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate insulation components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining protection against water and dust.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device simplifies the assembly process, reduces error probability, and provides robust insulation and secure connections that withstand external forces, enhancing operational safety and reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

elastic hooking means comprising elastic elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

mechanical screw or spring system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

mechanical block is made of the electric cable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3427349B1Device for the electric interconnection of electric cables
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 TECHNO SRL
  • EP3427349B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3427349B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3427349B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The device (1) for the electric interconnection of electric cables comprises: - a plug body (2) made of an electrically insulating material adapted to accommodate a plurality of female terminals (9, 10) made of an electrically conductive material connectable to a corresponding plurality of cores (3 a) of an electric cable (3); a socket body (21) made of an electrically insulating material adapted to accommodate a plurality of male terminals (27, 28) made of an electrically conductive material connectable to a corresponding plurality of cores (3 a) of another electric cable (3), the socket body (21) being coupleable to the plug body (2) in a coupling configuration; hooking means (31, 32, 33, 34) of the plug body (2) and the socket body (21) to one another in the coupling configuration adapted to prevent the plug body (2) from removing from the socket body (21), the hooking means (31, 32, 33, 34) comprising: a yielding flange element (31) having a reference tooth (32), the flange element (31) being associated with one of the plug body (2) and the socket body (21); a groove (33) formed on the other of the plug body (2) and the socket body (21) and adapted to insert the flange element (31) in the coupling configuration; an opening (34) defined at the groove (33) and adapted to insert the reference tooth (32).