Device Connector Tool Blocking Portion Prevents Bolt Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device connectors are prone to backlash due to accidental loosening or removal of bolts, which can lead to improper detachment and misalignment of components during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A device connector design featuring a tool blocking portion located adjacent to the fixing member, which prevents accidental access and removal by positioning the tool blocking portion at the rear side of the fixing bolt, ensuring it is not accessible for operation, thereby reducing the likelihood of backlash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fixing member is made accessible for operation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental removal
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a main plate and side plates, with the side plates providing different access characteristics for different fixing members. The first fixing member remains accessible through the main plate for normal maintenance, while the second fixing member is blocked by the side plate to prevent accidental removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cover have different properties: the main plate area allows tool access to the first fixing member for routine maintenance, while the side plate area blocks tool access to the second fixing member to prevent accidental removal. This local differentiation of access properties resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If the tool blocking portion completely covers the fixing bolt, then reliability is improved by preventing accidental removal, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side plate is designed with a cutout that dynamically adapts to the fixing bolt position. The cutout allows the fixing bolt to pass through while the tool blocking portion prevents tool access, creating a dynamic balance between protection and functionality without requiring a completely solid cover structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool blocking portion does not need to completely cover the fixing bolt to achieve its purpose. By providing partial coverage through the side plate with cutout, the design prevents tool access while maintaining simplicity and avoiding excessive material usage.
3Ease of operation
If the tool blocking portion is positioned at the rear side of the fixing bolt, then ease of operation is improved for maintenance, but reliability may worsen if access is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure segments access to different fixing members: the main plate provides access to the first fixing member for maintenance operations, while the side plate with cutout provides a different access path that blocks tools from reaching the second fixing member, thereby preventing accidental removal while maintaining maintenance capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A device connector disclosed herein is a device connector configured to be attached to a casing of a device. The device connector includes a housing, a shield bracket integrally formed with the housing and configured to be fixed to the casing with a fixing bolt to fix the housing, a cover covering the housing and fixed to the shield bracket with the fixing bolt, and a tool blocking portion included in a shell cover of the cover and located adjacent to a rear side of the fixing bolt for fixing the shield bracket to the casing when the shell cover is fixed to the shield bracket. The tool blocking portion blocks access of a tool to the fixing bolt for fixing the shield bracket to the casing.