Industrial Connector Push Button Unhooking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial electric connectors face difficulties in easy and safe removal of the male connector, which can lead to user abrasions and potential breakage due to the need for manual lifting of a shank, and lack sufficient traction resistance.
Innovation Solution
An industrial electric connector with a retention/unhooking device that allows for fast and simple unhooking by pressing a button, featuring a sliding slab with an integral tooth that disengages from the complementary connector, providing superior traction resistance and durability without requiring modifications to existing connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shank with tooth is used for fast attachment, then the connector achieves reliable connection and traction resistance, but the removal operation becomes difficult and dangerous causing user abrasions and potential breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional shank lifting mechanism into a button pressing mechanism. Instead of lifting the shank upward to disengage the tooth, the user presses a button that activates a sliding slab to move the tooth horizontally out of engagement with the complementary connector's receiving seat, thereby solving the difficulty and danger of removal while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the retention function into two independent components: the shank provides the elastic retention force, while the sliding slab with tooth provides the engagement and disengagement mechanism. This segmentation allows the tooth to be moved independently via the button press, separating the retention function from the removal operation and enabling safe, easy disengagement.
2Device complexity
If manual lifting of the shank is required for removal, then the connector structure remains simple, but the operation becomes complex and hazardous requiring precise finger manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a button as an intermediary element that mediates between the user and the retention mechanism. The button is connected to the sliding slab, which in turn moves the tooth. This intermediary system transforms the complex finger-lifting operation into a simple pressing action, reducing the risk of abrasions and breakage while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding slab mechanism is designed to move the tooth automatically when the button is pressed, eliminating the need for precise manual manipulation of the shank or tooth. The system serves itself by converting the button press into the necessary tooth displacement, making the removal operation intuitive and safe for all users.
3Reliability
If the shank is excessively forced during removal, then the connector may be damaged, but preventing this requires additional protective mechanisms increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including the elastic shank that can deflect and the sliding slab that moves the tooth controllably. When the button is pressed, the tooth is gradually moved out of engagement rather than being forcibly extracted, allowing the elastic shank to adjust dynamically and prevent excessive forces that could cause damage, without requiring additional protective mechanisms.
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 enables safe, easy, and long-lasting unhooking of the male connector with enhanced traction resistance, reducing the risk of breakage and user injury, while maintaining compatibility with existing connectors.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic spring (16) arranged inside said U-shaped element in such a way as to result comprised between said support base (15) and said slab (11)
Implementation Method 2
said U-shaped element (12) constrains said slab (11) through a normal force in such a way as to allow said sliding
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention concerns an electric connector (1) that couples, in a releasable manner, to a complementary electric connector (100). The electric connector foresees an external casing (2), an electrical plug (4) arranged inside the external casing (2) in such a way so that it can connect with the complementary electric connector (100) with fast hooking means (10). The fast hooking means are suitable for engaging in a releasable manner with relative connection means (42) belonging to the complementary electric connector (100) when the complementary electric connector couples to the electric connector (1). According to the invention, the fast hooking means (10) comprise: - A slab (11) assembled slidingly with respect to the electrical plug (4); - Elastic means (16,216) arranged in such a way as to push an end (11') of the slab (11) outside the casing (2) through an opening (50) found in the casing and; - An engaging element (41) arranged in the slab so that it can engage in contrast against a complementary element (42) belonging to the complementary electric connector (100) when the complementary electric connector (100) is inserted in the electrical plug (4), and it can disengage from said complementary tooth (42) when the slab (11) is made to slide with respect to the electrical plug (4) through a crushing exerted on the end of the slab exiting from the casing (2).