Coaxial Cable Connecting Assembly Torque Limiting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coaxial cable connecting assemblies are prone to overtightening, which can lead to mechanical and electrical failures, especially in internal connections where sealing components are not necessary, resulting in potential corrosion and signal transmission issues.
Innovation Solution
A connecting assembly design featuring axially elongated grooves and fingers that allow the housing to be turned around a rotational axis, with the fingers moving circumferentially out of the grooves when excessive torque is applied, preventing further tightening and thus avoiding overtightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded element is turned around a rotational axis to progressively tighten the element to a connector, then the connection is secured, but the connecting assembly is susceptible to being overtightened which can cause mechanical and electrical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a torque limiting mechanism that is pre-configured to automatically prevent overtightening before damage occurs. The mechanism includes a torque limiting element with a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, where the second surface is positioned closer to the rotational axis than the first surface. This preliminary design ensures that when the housing is turned to tighten the threaded element, the torque is automatically limited at a predetermined threshold, preventing mechanical and electrical failure before it can occur.
2Ease of manufacture
If connecting assemblies are designed for internal use without sealing components, then material costs and manufacturing complexity are reduced, but the assemblies are more prone to failure when overtightened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a torque limiting mechanism that is pre-configured to automatically prevent overtightening before damage occurs. The mechanism includes a torque limiting element with a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, where the second surface is positioned closer to the rotational axis than the first surface. This preliminary design ensures that when the housing is turned to tighten the threaded element, the torque is automatically limited at a predetermined threshold, preventing mechanical and electrical failure before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a torque limiting element as an intermediary component between the housing and the threaded element. This element acts as a mediator that transfers torque from the housing to the threaded element while automatically limiting the maximum torque to a safe level. The torque limiting element includes engagement surfaces that interact with corresponding surfaces on the housing and threaded element, providing a mechanical interface that prevents overtightening without requiring complex sealing components.
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 design effectively prevents overtightening, ensuring adequate tightening without damaging components, and allows for a less robust construction suitable for internal use, reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The first finger is reconfigured by being deformed primarily by radial material compression to allow the first finger to move circumferentially out of the first groove
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting assembly for an end of a coaxial cable and having a first element, that is turned around a first axis in a first rotational direction to progressively tighten the first element to a connector, and a housing. The connecting assembly further has: a) an axially elongated first groove in one component; and b) an axially elongated first finger on a second component that resides within the first groove with the connecting assembly in a first state. With the connecting assembly in the first state, turning of the housing in the first rotational direction causes the first finger to cause driving of the first element with a torque up to a predetermined torque. Continued turning of the housing with a torque exceeding the predetermined torque causes reconfiguration of the connecting assembly in a manner whereby the first finger moves circumferentially out of the first groove.