Connector With Non-Conductive Displacement Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors experience metallic abrasion during assembly, leading to potential short circuits and mechanical issues due to metal shavings, which can disrupt the electrical and mechanical functionality of the connector.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a metal fixing sleeve with clamping fingers and a housing nut containing a radially arranged displacement element made of electrically non-conductive material, which displaces the clamping fingers inward to secure the cable, preventing metallic abrasion by using a non-conductive material for the displacement element, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal connector nut and metal clamping device are used to secure the cable, then the cable can be firmly clamped to the connector, but metal shavings or metal debris are generated during tightening which can cause short circuits or mechanical problems
Solution Approach 1:
A plastic insert is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal connector nut and the metal clamping device. This plastic insert serves as a mediator that prevents direct metal-to-metal contact during tightening, thereby eliminating metal shavings while still enabling effective cable clamping through the insert's deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameter of the component between the nut and clamping device is changed from metal to plastic. This parameter change transforms the friction and contact characteristics during tightening, preventing metallic abrasion while maintaining the necessary mechanical function through the plastic material's deformation properties
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a plastic insert is used to prevent metal shavings, then metallic abrasion is eliminated, but the insert must be precisely integrated into the connector structure
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic insert is merged with the connector nut structure, where the insert is received by a recess in the nut and secured through integration features. This merging approach combines multiple functions (abrasion prevention, structural support, and assembly guidance) into a single integrated component, reducing overall device complexity
3Reliability
If the clamping fingers are pressed against the cable using a displacement element, then the cable is securely fixed, but frictional forces may still generate debris if metal contacts metal
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic insert acts as a mediator between the displacement element and the cable, ensuring that when clamping fingers are pressed against the cable, the force is transmitted through the plastic material rather than direct metal-to-cable contact. This prevents metal shavings while maintaining secure cable fixation
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 use of a non-conductive displacement element effectively prevents conductive abrasion, reducing the risk of short circuits and mechanical issues, ensuring reliable electrical and mechanical performance by eliminating metal shavings during the assembly and operation of the connector.
Implementation Method 1
During tightening of the connector nut, a radially inner surface of the connector nut moves against a radially outer surface of the clamp. Frictional forces therefore arise at the contact points of the two surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a connector (10) with a connector housing (42), comprising: a fixing sleeve (18) having a plurality of clamping fingers (28), wherein the fixing sleeve (18) is designed to be slid onto a cable (12), and a housing nut (16), wherein the housing nut (16) is designed to be slid over the fixing sleeve (18) and comprises a radially internal displacement element (44), and in an operating state of the housing nut (16) the displacement element (44) displaces the plurality of clamping fingers (28) radially inwards such that the plurality of clamping fingers (28) is pressed against the associated cable (12), wherein the displacement element (44) is made of an electrically non-conductive material.