Resilient CPA Locking Element for Connector Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector position assurance (CPA) devices in electrical connector systems are susceptible to high stresses during shocks or vibrations, leading to potential disconnection and weakening due to environmental variations, and often require additional complex locking operations and elements.
Innovation Solution
A CPA device with a body part and at least one locking element that can be resiliently deflected, configured to form a V configuration or provide deflection spaces, allowing for improved connection and disconnection kinematics without the need for pre-locking, thus reducing stress on locking elements and simplifying the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional CPA devices are used in electrical connector systems, then connection maintenance is assured during shocks or vibrations, but the locking elements are subjected to high stresses and become susceptible to environmental variations
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to transition between a locked position (maintaining connection) and an unlocked position (releasing connection). This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain reliability during shocks by actively engaging the locking mechanism, while the ability to unlock prevents permanent stress accumulation that would weaken the element over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the locking element by introducing controlled stress cycles through the unlocking mechanism. Instead of maintaining constant high stress, the system periodically releases and re-engages the locking element, changing its stress state parameters to prevent fatigue and environmental degradation while maintaining connection reliability when needed.
2Reliability
If CPA devices are constantly subject to stresses, then connection assurance is maintained, but the devices are weakened due to environmental variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action through the unlocking mechanism that allows the CPA device to periodically release from the locked state. This periodic unlocking prevents continuous stress exposure that would degrade the device's compositional stability, while the subsequent re-locking maintains connection assurance. The cycle of locking-unlocking-locking preserves device stability while ensuring connection reliability.
3Reliability
If additional locking operations and elements are added to CPA devices, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CPA device is designed with multi-functionality where the same locking element serves multiple purposes: maintaining connection during shocks, providing controlled stress cycles through unlocking, and ensuring connection reliability. This universal approach avoids the need for separate additional locking elements or operations, maintaining connection reliability while minimizing device complexity.
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 effectively reduces the stress on locking elements, enhances the reliability of the connection and disconnection process, and maintains the locking of electrical connector systems without additional complex operations or elements, improving the overall stability and simplicity of the system.
Implementation Method 1
at least one locking element extending substantially along the length of the body part, said at least one locking element comprising an end forming a locking part and another end fixed to the body part, configured in such a way that the locking part can be resiliently deflected from a delivery position in the direction of said body part
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a CPA device (300; 500) which makes it possible to assure the locking between two homologous connector boxes (100, 200), comprising a body part (301; 501) and at least one locking element (302, 303; 502, 503), extending substantially along the length of the body part (301; 501) and comprising an end forming a locking part (306, 307; 506, 507) and another end (304, 305; 504, 505) fixed to the body part (301; 501), configured in such a way that the locking part (306, 307; 506, 507) can be resiliently deflected from a delivery position in the direction of said body part (301; 501). The invention further relates to a connector box and to an electrical connector system.