Electrical Connector Locking Clip With Spring Bolt Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors used in harsh environments, such as agricultural technology, are prone to accidental disconnection during operation, leading to potential damage and health hazards due to 'pulling under load' and overvoltage arcs, as they lack secure locking mechanisms that prevent accidental separation.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a pivotable locking clip with a bolt and spring mechanism that aligns recesses to secure the locking bracket, combined with an actuator for controlled disconnection, ensuring the connector remains locked during operation and allowing users to actively release the connection, preventing accidental disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple locking bracket is used that can be easily swung back, then the connector is easy to handle and operate, but the connector can be accidentally disconnected during operation leading to damage and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bracket is pre-loaded by a spring mechanism that automatically engages when the connector is plugged in. The bolt is preliminarily positioned by a guide element, and the locking action occurs automatically through the pivoting movement of the locking bracket, eliminating the need for manual locking operations while ensuring secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
A bolt acts as an intermediary element between the locking bracket and the housing. The bolt translates the pivoting movement of the locking bracket into a locking action, mediating between the user's simple pivoting operation and the secure locked state that prevents accidental disconnection.
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism with bolt and spring is implemented, then accidental disconnections are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is integrated directly into the locking bracket assembly, merging the locking function and the spring-loaded retention function into a single component. The guide element is also integrated into the housing structure, combining guidance and structural support functions, thereby reducing the number of separate parts despite the enhanced locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically engages the bolt with the locking bracket's recess without requiring external actuation or complex control systems. The system serves itself by using the natural spring force to maintain locking pressure and the geometric constraint of the aligned recesses to ensure proper engagement, eliminating the need for additional actuators or control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the locking bracket is fixed in position during operation, then connection security is improved, but the ability to easily disconnect when needed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic system where the locking bracket can pivot between locked and unlocked states. The spring mechanism provides dynamic retention force that maintains security during operation but allows controlled release when the locking bracket is deliberately pivoted to disengage the bolt from the recess alignment.
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 enhances safety by preventing accidental disconnections and overvoltage arcs, while maintaining ease of handling and secure locking, thus reducing the risk of machine or device damage and user safety hazards.
Implementation Method 1
The bolt is mounted on a spring in the trough part. The spring force drives the bolt out of the recess.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical connector (1), having at least one first cut-out introduced in the electrical connector housing (2), a bolt (11) movably arranged in said first cut-out, and a locking clip (3), which is pivotably attached to the electrical connector housing (2) and which has at least one second cut-out, wherein the at least one first cut-out and the at least one second cut-out are aligned with each other in a state of locking to a mating electrical connector and the bolt (11) arranged in the at least one first cut-out protrudes into the at least one second cut-out of the locking clip (3), whereby the locking clip (3) is fastened in the pivoting motion thereof.