Electrical Connector Locking Pin Prevents Accidental Disengagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breakaway electrical connectors are prone to accidental disengagement due to cable tension and may be dislodged by accidental collisions, which can lead to connection damage and failure in dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
A locking electrical connector design featuring a sleeve with a keyway and inwardly protruding pin that moves into a position within the keyway of the mating connector to prevent accidental release, combined with a detent device and o-ring for enhanced security and tactile feedback, allowing the connector to be locked and unlocked with ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a breakaway electrical connector design is used, then the connector can be quickly and easily disengaged when required, but tension on the electrical cable can lead to accidental disengagement of the connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic locking mechanism with a movable locking element that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The locking element is biased by a spring and can be actuated by a small movement of the connector body, allowing quick disengagement while maintaining secure connection during normal use. This dynamic system resolves the contradiction by providing both firm engagement and easy release through controlled state changes.
Solution Approach 2:
A locking element acts as an intermediary between the connector body and the mating connector. This intermediate component provides the locking function independently from the main connector structure, allowing the connector to maintain reliability through the locking mechanism while preserving ease of operation through the actuation mechanism. The locking element mediates between the need for secure connection and quick disengagement.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental disengagement, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the existing connector body structure rather than being added as a separate complex assembly. The locking element is integrated into the connector housing, and the actuation mechanism utilizes existing structural features. This merging approach provides the necessary locking function while minimizing the increase in device complexity by reusing existing structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism incorporates a spring-biased locking element that automatically engages and disengages based on the position of the connector body. The spring provides the necessary biasing force automatically, and the locking element self-actuates in response to connector movement, reducing the need for additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains reliability while limiting complexity growth.
3Reliability
If the locking mechanism requires significant force to engage, then connection stability is improved, but the connector may be dislodged by accidental collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism uses a spring-biased locking element that provides continuous elastic force for secure engagement while allowing controlled movement for release. The spring's elastic properties enable the mechanism to absorb impact forces from accidental collisions without requiring excessive engagement force, maintaining both connection stability and vulnerability to intentional release through small movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes the force parameter dynamically - requiring only small forces for actuation while maintaining large holding forces during engagement. The spring-biased locking element stores elastic energy that provides strong holding force during normal operation, but this force can be easily overcome by small actuating movements. This parameter change allows the connector to be stable during use but easily disengaged when needed.
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 accidental disengagement while allowing for intentional release, providing secure connections in dynamic environments and offering tactile feedback for user confirmation, even in conditions where direct manipulation is hindered by bulky equipment.
Implementation Method 1
an inward thrust of the plug into the receptacle of the mating connector will expand the coil spring to enable the spring to snap into the annular groove formed in the plug
Implementation Method 2
The forward tip of the plug is tapered to exert a cam action, whereby an inward thrust of the plug into the receptacle of the mating connector will expand the coil spring
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An electrical connector for terminating an electrical cable and for engaging with a mating electrical connector, the connector comprising: a body having an engagement portion including a sleeve which extends in a longitudinal first direction for engaging with the mating electrical connector, the sleeve further comprising at least one keyway configured to receive a keyed mating connector at a keyway opening; at least one resilient member arranged on the sleeve of the engagement portion, the resilient member being capable of deforming in a transverse direction perpendicular to the first direction and providing a reaction force for maintaining the engagement of the connector with the mating connector; and a collar configured to be rotatable about at least the sleeve, wherein the collar comprises a radially inwardly protruding pin which extends into the sleeve and can be moved between two positions, one of the two positions being within the keyway between the key of the mating connector and the keyway opening such that the pin prevents axial disengagement of the connector.