Drawer Housing Rack Mechanism for Reliable Connector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extractable support devices for electrical equipment often require multiple parts and complex mechanisms, leading to risks of improper connection and contact damage due to the need for manual pressure to connect and lock, which can result in unreliable and imprecise connections.
Innovation Solution
A rack device supported by the handle and the sleeve housing allows for precise adjustment and progressive connection force through a rotating handle, minimizing parts and using a toothed or crenellated mechanism for secure locking and disconnection, ensuring precise positioning of connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock bolt type system with multiple parts (spring, locking cam, bolt) is used to connect and lock the drawer box, then the connection can be secured, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation decreases due to the need for manual pressure application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (handle, rack device, locking mechanism) into an integrated system where the handle directly drives the rack and pinion mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate springs, locking cams, and bolts, reducing part count while maintaining reliable connection and locking functionality through the unified mechanical advantage of the rack system.
2Ease of operation
If manual pressure is applied to connect the connectors, then the connection can be made, but the risk of crushing contacts or poor connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the direct manual pressure application mechanism with a rack and pinion mechanical advantage system. The rotating handle engages with the rack, converting rotational motion into controlled linear motion that progressively pushes the drawer box into the sheath box. This substitution provides controlled, progressive force application rather than uncontrolled manual pressure, ensuring reliable connector engagement without contact crushing.
3Device complexity
If the handle only serves to lock or extract the moving part, then the mechanism is simpler, but the certainty of correct connection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the handle a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs three functions: (1) drives the rack mechanism to move the drawer box into position, (2) ensures precise connector alignment through the rack's controlled motion, and (3) locks the drawer box in place when in the final position. This universal handle design eliminates the need for separate positioning and locking operations, ensuring connection precision while maintaining mechanism simplicity.
4Productivity
If multiple separate operations are needed for introduction, connection, and locking, then each operation can be optimized, but the total operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous useful action by designing the rack and pinion mechanism so that a single continuous rotation of the handle performs all necessary operations in sequence: the handle rotation drives the rack to move the drawer box forward, automatically aligns and connects the connectors, and finally locks the drawer box in place. This continuous action eliminates idle transitions between separate operations, maximizing productivity while maintaining operational simplicity through the unified mechanical system.
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 reliable, precise, and durable connections with reduced risk of contact damage, allowing for single-operation introduction, connection, and locking of the support device, ensuring correct alignment and minimizing friction during insertion.
Implementation Method 1
it comprises a rack device supported partly by the handle and partly by the sleeve housing and allowing the movement of the drawer housing relative to the sheath housing when the handle is driven from the first to the aforementioned second position
Implementation Method 2
the aforementioned rack device comprises a first part belonging to the handle comprising a toothed part, or else a crenellated part, placed at the two ends of the handle substantially along a portion of a circle around the axes of rotation of the handle
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has a drawer housing (3) including a connector (4), and a sleeve housing (2) including another connector (5), where the drawer housing is movable relative to the sleeve housing between a position in which the drawer housing is extracted from the sleeve housing and the connectors are disconnected, and another position in which the drawer housing is inserted into the sleeve housing. A rack (28) is supported by a handle (26) for permitting movement of the drawer housing relative to the sleeve housing when the handle is driven from the former position to the latter position.