Connector Mounting Cage and Rotating Nut to Prevent Tilting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for connecting components in motor vehicles are not reliable or simple to mount due to their complex and prone-to-tilting design.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a cage part with a radial flange and a nut part that rotates from a first to a second position, with wing portions that project radially beyond the cage part's contour upon screw tightening, reducing tilting probability and facilitating mounting through oblique surfaces and radial projections for guided rotation, and a latching mechanism to ensure secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the nut part is accommodated in the cage part without a guiding structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mounting reliability deteriorates due to tilting probability
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical portion of the nut part is designed to project into the circular opening of the cage part before rotation begins, establishing a guiding relationship in advance that prevents tilting during the subsequent rotational mounting process
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical portion acts as an intermediary guiding element between the nut part and cage part, providing a simple geometric interface that ensures proper alignment and prevents tilting without requiring complex constraint mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If the nut part can rotate freely in the cage part, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mounting reliability deteriorates due to uncontrolled rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The oblique surface regions on the cylindrical portion and corresponding surfaces in the cage part create a controlled resistance to rotation in advance, preventing uncontrolled tilting and rotation while still allowing the mounting operation to proceed with a single tightening motion
Solution Approach 2:
The oblique surfaces are designed with specific angle ranges (5° to 70°, particularly approximately 20°) that optimize the balance between guiding the rotation reliably and allowing the operation to remain simple and intuitive
3Device complexity
If the wing portions remain within the cage part contour throughout rotation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to apply sufficient torque
Solution Approach 1:
The wing portions are designed to dynamically change their radial position during rotation - starting within the cage part contour and projecting beyond it as rotation progresses, which naturally provides leverage for torque application in the critical tightening phase
Solution Approach 2:
The wing portions utilize the radial dimension by projecting beyond the cage part outer contour during rotation, creating an extended lever arm that facilitates torque application without adding complex mechanical advantage mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Connector, wherein the connector is configured for connecting a first component to a second component, wherein the components each have an opening with cross sections different from a circular cross section, wherein the connector has a cage part which has a radial flange at one end and which has a stem portion with a cross section different from a circular cross section, said stem portion being insertable into the opening of the second component such that the flange is positioned against the front side of the second component, wherein the connector has a nut part which is at least partially accommodated by the cage part and that is rotatable, has an axial opening and has opposite wing portions.