Circular Connector Plastic Annular Insert Anti-Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current circular connector assemblies for high-vibration environments often incorporate metallic components, leading to wear issues, inconsistent torque, and increased manufacturing and assembly complexity, as well as costs.
Innovation Solution
A circular connector assembly featuring a plastic coupling nut with an annular insert having spring-loaded teeth and guide surfaces, which is snap-fit between a locking rib and flange on a plastic second shell, allowing controlled rotation and preventing decoupling, thus eliminating metal-to-plastic contacts and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metallic components (spring, detent, fastener) are used for anti-decoupling mechanism, then anti-vibration functionality is improved, but wear issues occur due to metal-to-plastic contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the anti-decoupling components from metallic to plastic, eliminating metal-to-plastic contact and the associated wear problems while maintaining the spring-loaded detent mechanism's anti-vibration functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a plastic annular insert with integrally formed spring members and teeth, creating a composite plastic component that replaces traditional metallic anti-decoupling mechanisms and eliminates wear from metal contact
2Reliability
If metallic components are added for anti-decoupling mechanism, then anti-vibration functionality is improved, but manufacturing costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring member, detent tooth, and guide surface into a single integrally formed plastic annular insert, eliminating the need for separate metallic components and reducing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic annular insert is self-contained with all anti-decoupling features (springs, teeth, guide surfaces) built-in, allowing it to serve multiple functions simultaneously without requiring additional metallic components
3Reliability
If metallic components are used for anti-decoupling mechanism, then anti-vibration functionality is improved, but torque consistency becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, providing more consistent torque characteristics while maintaining reliable anti-decoupling functionality in high-vibration environments
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 anti-decoupling and anti-rotation functionality in high-vibration environments without metal-to-plastic wear issues, maintaining alignment and reducing assembly complexity and costs by using entirely plastic components.
Implementation Method 1
The annular insert comprises a body and a plurality of springs, and each spring further comprises a first end connected to the body, a second end connected to the body, and at least one of the spring-loaded teeth intermediate the first end and the second end
Data Source
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AI summary
Electrical connector assemblies are disclosed. An electrical connector assembly comprises a first shell comprising an externally threaded portion, a second shell comprising an outer surface, a coupling nut, and an annular insert secured within the coupling nut and positioned around the second shell. A first shell and a second shell include mating alignment features. An outer surface of a second shell comprises an unthreaded portion, which comprises a plurality of recesses arranged around an annular track. A coupling nut comprises an internally threaded portion, which is configured to threadably engage an externally threaded portion of a first shell. An annular insert is comprised of a plastic material, and comprises an inner surface comprising a plurality of deflectable spring-loaded teeth that extending radially inward. A spring-loaded tooth is positioned around an unthreaded portion of a second shell and can be rotatably aligned with recesses defined therein.