Terminal Connector Holding Element for Pressure Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for hose lines and pipelines face challenges in securely locking the plug part within the socket part, especially when pressurized media is involved, as they often require additional tools for disassembly and may not provide adequate anti-rotation and pressure locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A holding element with radially expandable arms featuring inward and outward latching lugs, which can be actuated without additional tools, and a pressure locking mechanism that prevents unlocking during media pressure, ensuring secure fixation and easy assembly/disassembly, while preventing unintentional rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking devices are used to secure the plug part in the socket part, then the connector provides adequate locking strength, but additional tools are required for disassembly and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is designed to be actuated directly by the user's finger without requiring additional tools. The release element can be pressed manually to disengage the latching lugs from the latching surfaces, enabling tool-free disassembly while maintaining secure locking during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The holding arms are made resilient and can move between locked and unlocked positions. The latching lugs can engage with and disengage from the latching surfaces dynamically, allowing the connector to transition from a secure locked state to an easily opened state through simple manual actuation
2Ease of operation
If simple holding elements are used for assembly, then the ease of assembly/disassembly is improved, but the reliability under pressure and anti-rotation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latching lugs are designed with asymmetric engagement geometry where they can easily engage with the latching surfaces during insertion but require a specific actuation force to disengage. This asymmetric design ensures secure locking under pressure while maintaining ease of assembly and controlled disassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element features a continuous circumferential edge at both ends with curved geometry that provides anti-rotation capability. The rounded continuous edges prevent the plug part from rotating unintentionally while maintaining the simplicity of the holding element structure
3Reliability
If multiple latching mechanisms are added to prevent rotation and ensure pressure locking, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides latching through the latching lugs, prevents rotation through the continuous circumferential edges, and allows easy release through the resilient holding arms. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate anti-rotation mechanisms while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element combines the latching function and anti-rotation function into a single integrated component. The latching lugs and continuous circumferential edges are part of the same holding element structure, reducing the total number of parts while achieving both secure locking and rotation prevention
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 solution enhances the reliability of the connector by securely locking the plug and socket parts together, even under pressure, and allows for easy release without additional tools, ensuring reliable operation and ease of assembly/disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
holding arms (42, 43) which can be moved resiliently in the radial direction relative to the plug part (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A holding element for a terminal connector, having at least one socket part and at least one plug part, wherein the plug part can be inserted or is inserted in a socket portion of the socket part. The holding element can be plugged or is plugged onto the plug part for detachably holding the plug part in the socket part. The holding element has a holding element body, holding arms having latching lugs that are directed inwards with respect to the holding element, holding arms having latching lugs that are directed outwards with respect to the holding element, and axially on both sides, has an uninterrupted, continuous edge on the end side. The holding arms each have a free end that is spring-elastically movable in the radial direction, and an end opposite thereof that is fixed to the holding element body.