Cable Plug Assembly With Universal Clamping Fingers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable connectors, such as RJ-45 connectors, are prone to damage and failure due to repeated insertion and removal, with issues including bent or displaced contacts, plastic deformation, and cable kinking, and require additional adapter pieces for different types, complicating assembly.
Innovation Solution
A clamping element with circumferentially distributed fingers, featuring shoulders and optionally ridges, securely positions and fixes cable connectors of varying dimensions within a housing, guided by internal structures for rotation prevention and longitudinal alignment, allowing quick and secure assembly without additional adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded connection with clamping sleeve and clamping element is used to protect the cable connector, then the connector is securely fixed and protected from damage, but additional adapter pieces are required for different types of connectors which increases assembly complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is designed with multiple fingers that can adaptively hold different types of cable connectors (RJ11, RJ45, fiber optic, power connectors) without requiring different adapter pieces. The fingers are positioned and dimensioned to accommodate various connector sizes and shapes, making the same clamping element universal for multiple connector types.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element is divided into multiple fingers distributed around the longitudinal axis, with each finger capable of independently positioning and holding the connector. This segmentation allows the connector to be securely held through the fingers without requiring additional adapter components.
2Manufacturing precision
If the clamping element has fingers positioned to hold the connector, then the connector is securely positioned, but the spring arm of the connector may interfere with coupling and locking
Solution Approach 1:
The function of holding the connector is extracted from the main body of the clamping element and assigned to specific fingers. One finger is specifically designated to hold the spring arm in a depressed position, separating the spring arm holding function from the general connector positioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger acts as an intermediary between the clamping element and the connector's spring arm. By using the finger to hold the spring arm in the depressed position, the interference between the spring arm and coupling/locking operations is eliminated without requiring direct intervention from the user.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adapter pieces are required for different connector types, then each connector type can be properly accommodated, but assembly time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element with its multi-finger design serves as a universal component that can accommodate various connector types (RJ11, RJ45, fiber optic, power connectors) without requiring different adapter pieces for each connector type, thereby maintaining versatility while simplifying the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The function of multiple adapter pieces for different connector types is merged into a single clamping element with adaptable fingers. This consolidation eliminates the need to keep multiple adapter pieces on hand and reduces assembly steps while maintaining compatibility with various connector types.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a plug assembly for use with cables (K) with cable plugs (S) comprising a housing (1) for receiving the cable plug (S), a clamping part (5) arranged in the housing (1) and which engages the cable (K), the clamping part clamps the cable (K) in the compressed state, and a clamping sleeve (3) for forming a threaded connection with the housing (1). When the threaded connection is tightened, the clamping part (5) is tensioned in the housing (1) and the cable (K) is clamped in the clamping part (5). The front end of the clamping part (5) facing the cable plug (S) is designed to receive and position the cable plug (S) in a predetermined position at the front end of the clamping part (5) or is provided with at least one stop for the cable plug (S). Thus, when the threaded connection is tightened, the cable plug (S) is also positioned and fixed in a rotationally secure manner with respect to the housing (1) and the clamping part (5).