Elastomeric Retainer Resists Cord Decoupling and Debris Ingress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors for electrical cords lack effective solutions to resist decoupling, especially under applied forces, and fail to provide adequate weatherproofing against water and debris.

Innovation Solution

A retainer system comprising first and second receivers with adjusters and a housing that securely couple to both cords, using elastomeric materials and seals to resist decoupling forces and prevent water and debris ingress, featuring adjustable structures like hooks, loops, and interlocking teeth to maintain a fixedly coupled orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing connectors are used without additional retainers, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of resisting decoupling forces is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to decoupling forcesVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer is nested within the connector housing, with the elastomeric material forming an integrated structure that contains receiver cavities and adjuster mechanisms. This nesting approach allows the retainer to provide enhanced decoupling resistance without adding external components, thereby improving reliability while minimizing increases in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the elastomeric material provides both structural support and sealing, the receiver cavities accommodate connector components, and the adjusters provide retention. This merging of functions into one component achieves high decoupling resistance without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If seals and elastomeric materials are added to provide weatherproofing, then protection against water and debris is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater and debris ingressVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged with the retainer structure itself. The elastomeric material that forms the retainer body also creates sealing surfaces and receives seals, integrating protection against water and debris into the existing retention mechanism rather than adding separate sealing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric material serves as a flexible sealing element that can deform to accommodate connector components while maintaining weatherproofing. This flexible shell approach provides effective protection against harmful factors without requiring complex rigid sealing structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If adjustable structures like hooks, loops, and interlocking teeth are incorporated, then the ease of operation for securing cords is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability for securingVSAvoidinterlocking feature precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adjuster mechanisms utilize elastomeric material properties that allow for parameter changes during operation. The material can deform to accommodate various cord sizes and connection states, providing ease of operation while tolerating variations in manufacturing precision through its elastic compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The use of elastomeric material combines the benefits of structural support with compliance and sealing in a single material system. This composite approach allows adjustable structures to function effectively without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, as the elastomeric material compensates for dimensional variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 retainer effectively resists decoupling forces of up to 15 pounds and provides weatherproofing, preventing water and debris from entering the connector chamber, ensuring secure and protected connections.

Implementation Method 1

The retainer is formed from an elastomeric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

seals to resist decoupling forces and prevent water and debris ingress

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11682861B2Retainer resisting decoupling of electrical cords

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 NORRIS JASON ROBERT

AI summary

A retainer resists decoupling of a first connector of a first cord from a second connector of a second cord. The retainer includes a first receiver having an adjuster to adjust the receiver about a portion of the first cord. The retainer includes a second receiver having an adjuster to adjust the receiver about a portion of the second cord. A connector housing couples the first and second receiver. The first receiver, second receiver, and connector housing form a continuous chamber in which lies portion of the first and second cords connected together when the retainer resides in an installed orientation. The retainer, in the installed orientation, resists incursion of water, dust particulate matter and other debris into the continuous chamber.