Connector Assembly Buoyancy Device Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies face challenges in aligning electrical and fluidic connectors due to misalignments, requiring significant connection forces and bulky buoyancy devices, which increase the size of the assembly and complicate the connection process.
Innovation Solution
The connector assembly incorporates a buoyancy device with a refocusing element and elastic return means, featuring a cam surface and counter surface inclined at 30° to 60°, allowing the connection plate to move in the X-Y plane and recenter itself, reducing the need for large overtravel and bulkiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conical surfaces with springs are used to recenter the connection plate, then the connection plate can be recentered in the middle position, but significant connection forces and a bulky buoyancy device are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cam surfaces, specifically using inclined surfaces with angles between 30° and 60° instead of conical surfaces. This parameter change allows the same recentering function to be achieved with reduced connection forces and a more compact buoyancy device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The recentering element is designed to be movable in the connection direction between the rest position and offset position, allowing dynamic adaptation during the connection process. This dynamic mechanism enables the system to accommodate misalignments while maintaining reduced connection forces throughout the coupling phase.
2Measurement precision
If conical surfaces with springs are used to recenter the connection plate, then the connection plate can be recentered in the middle position, but the buoyancy device becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from conical surfaces to inclined cam surfaces with specific angle parameters (30°-60°), the patent achieves the same recentering precision with a significantly reduced buoyancy device volume. The inclined surfaces provide the necessary mechanical advantage in a more compact configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If overtravel of connection is provided to guarantee correct connection, then misalignments are accommodated, but the size of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recentering element automatically adjusts the connection plate position during the connection process, enabling the system to self-correct misalignments without requiring excessive overtravel. This self-adjusting mechanism maintains compact assembly dimensions while preserving misalignment tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable recentering element provides dynamic misalignment compensation during connection, allowing the system to accommodate offsets without increasing the overall assembly length. The element moves between rest and offset positions to actively manage alignment throughout the coupling phase.
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
This solution enables precise alignment and connection with reduced connection forces and assembly size, maintaining contact between the cam surfaces throughout the coupling phase while allowing for efficient recentering and disconnection.
Implementation Method 1
means for elastic return of a cam surface of the recentering element into contact with a cam counter surface made on the support
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This connection assembly (4) comprises a connection plate (12) equipped with at least one electrical (16) and/or fluidic (14) connection element, which defines a connection direction (Z) to a complementary connection element (18, 20), a support (22), and a buoyancy device (26). The plate (12) is capable of moving relative to the support (22) in an offset position in a plane (XY). The buoyancy device (26) recenters the plate (12) in a rest position in a disconnected configuration and comprises a recentering element (28) integral with an element (12, 22) and means (30) for returning a cam surface (38) of the recentering element (28) to contact with a counter-cam surface (40) formed on an element (12, 22).The surface (38) and/or the surface (40) is inclined (α) with respect to the direction (Z), and the centering element (28) is movable along the direction (Z) with respect to the plate (12) and with respect to the support (22) between the rest and offset positions.