Electrical Connector with Tool-Operated Release Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hazardous environments with combustible or explosive gases, existing electrical connectors lack a secure locking mechanism that can be safely and conveniently disconnected using common tools like screwdrivers, risking arcs or machine interruptions.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a male and female connector assembly with a retainer spring and a spring actuator system, featuring aligned openings on the outer and inner sleeves to accommodate a screwdriver blade, allowing for safe unlocking by rotating the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve, thereby releasing the locked connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to electrical connectors for secure coupling in hazardous environments, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer spring is nested within the connector housing, with the spring body contained inside the connector body and the locking tines extending outward. This nesting approach provides a secure locking mechanism while maintaining a compact connector structure without adding external complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer spring automatically engages and locks the connectors together through its own elastic deformation and tine movement during the connection process, without requiring external locking mechanisms or additional components. The spring self-regulates the locking force through its material properties.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental disconnection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A tool-operable feature (such as a slot or protrusion) serves as an intermediary between the locking mechanism and the user's tool. This allows a common screwdriver to easily actuate the release mechanism without requiring special tools or complex procedures, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring secure locking during normal use.
3Ease of operation
If a tool-operable release feature is added for convenient disconnection, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool-operable release feature uses a common screwdriver interface that can be actuated through existing alignment features between the connectors. This universal approach allows the release mechanism to be operated with readily available tools without adding specialized components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while maximizing ease of operation.
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
This solution provides a secure locking mechanism that can be safely and conveniently disconnected using a screwdriver, preventing accidental disconnection and ensuring operational safety in hazardous environments.
Implementation Method 1
a generally annular retainer spring having a circular base or ring and inwardly (i.e., centrally) projecting flexible tines which are inclined slightly in the direction of insertion of the second connector
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes first and second connector members each having respective complementary connecting elements, with the second connector member having an annular insert adapted for tight-fitting insertion in an annular recess of the first connector member. Attached to the second member is a circular spring having inwardly directed resilient tines which engage an outer surface of the second member for coupling the two connector members together in a locked manner. Attached to and disposed about the first member is a fixed apertured outer sleeve and the movable combination of an apertured inner sleeve and a release sleeve. Insertion of the flat blade of a tool into an aligned pair of outer and inner apertures, followed by rotation of the tool, causes its blade to displace the release sleeve into engagement with the spring, bending its tines and releasing the two connector members from one another.