Connector Assembly With Digital Tag Blocking for Install Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector assemblies rely on visual, haptic, and audible indicators for confirming successful installation, which are difficult for operators to accurately and consistently determine, lacking a reliable digital representation of installation status.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly incorporating a digital tag and a digital blocker that transitions between blocking and unblocking an output signal as the movable component moves from an uninstalled to an installed state, providing a digital indication of successful connection, allowing external systems to verify installation without operator reliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual, haptic, and audible indicators are used to confirm installation, then operators can detect connection status, but the detection accuracy and consistency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical indicators (visual, haptic, audible) with a digital sensing system that uses sensors to detect the presence or absence of components and provides electronic feedback signals. This substitution eliminates human judgment variability and provides consistent, accurate detection of installation status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors detect the installation status and provide digital signals back to the system or operator. This feedback loop ensures accurate and consistent information about connection status is always available, eliminating reliance on operator interpretation of ambiguous indicators.
2Measurement precision
If digital tag and digital blocker are added to provide digital indication, then installation verification accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the digital tag and digital blocker into the existing connector assembly structure. The digital tag is integrated with the component being installed, while the digital blocker is incorporated into the connector body, creating a unified system that provides digital verification without requiring separate external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the digital tag and digital blocker as intermediary elements that facilitate communication between the physical installation state and the digital verification system. These intermediaries translate mechanical presence/absence into digital signals, enabling accurate verification while keeping the overall system architecture manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a connector body, a movable component selectively movable between an uninstalled state and an installed state, a digital tag, and a digital blocker. When the movable component is moved from the uninstalled state to the installed state, the digital blocker is moved relative to the digital tag from a position where the digital tag is blocked by the digital blocker to a position where the digital tag is unblocked by the digital blocker, thereby providing a digital indication of a successful connection between the connector body and the movable component.