Circular Connector Anti-Rotation Ring for Twist-Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors in harsh environments, such as the oil and gas industry, face issues with twist-stress-induced latent failures in wiring harness connections, leading to costly downtime and reliability concerns, particularly in DIN-mounted equipment.
Innovation Solution
An anti-rotation device with a cylindrical ring and coupling members is integrated between the connector-disk and body-assembly, secured by a twist-lock cap, which restricts relative rotational motion and mitigates twisting stresses, preventing compromised connections during manufacturing and field deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If circular connectors are designed with fast-lock technology to avoid screwing operations, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to twist-stress-induced latent failures in wiring harness connections
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into functional segments: the fast-lock mechanism for quick connection, and the anti-rotation device with coupling members for rotational constraint. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-rotation device acts as an intermediary component between the connector components. It mediates the rotational forces that would otherwise cause twist-stress on wiring harness connections, transferring and distributing these forces through its coupling members engaged with recesses in the connector disk and body assembly.
2Reliability
If anti-rotation devices are added to restrict relative rotational motion, then reliability is improved by preventing twist-stress failures, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation device is merged with the existing connector structure through its coupling members that engage with recesses in the connector disk and body assembly. This integration allows the anti-rotation function to be added without requiring completely separate, additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-rotation device serves multiple functions: it prevents rotational motion between connector components, distributes twist-stresses away from wiring harness connections, and maintains structural integrity during assembly and operation. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single device.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A strain relieving apparatus (100) comprising an anti-rotation device including a cylindrical ring (125) extending along a longitudinal axis, the ring including proximal and distal faces. The ring includes proximal coupling members (140) extending from the proximal face insertably engaging with mating recesses within a connector-disk (145). The ring (125) includes also distal coupling members (130) extending from the distal face insertably engaging with mating recesses (315) within a body-assembly (120, 105). The coupling members (130, 140) extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (135). The anti-rotation device (125) is captured between the connector-disk (145) and the body-assembly (120, 105) and is retained by a proximal twist-lock cap (160) screwably engaged with the body-assembly (120, 105), such that relative rotational motion between the connector-disk (145) and the body-assembly (120, 105) is substantially restricted. This advantageously mitigates disconnection of wiring harnesses connected to the connector-disk (145) in the apparatus.