End Fitting Connector Assembly With One-Hand Ball Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing end fitting connector assemblies are complex, require multiple parts, and often necessitate tools for assembly and disassembly, lacking simplicity and ease of use while providing insufficient retention force to prevent accidental disassembly.
Innovation Solution
An end fitting connector assembly featuring an elastically deformable race with a split ring configuration and a peripheral wall with annular grooves and raised circumferential ridges, allowing for one-handed assembly and enhanced disassembly resistance through camming actions or locking elements, ensuring secure engagement with a spherical ball mount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring retention clip is used to create positive engagement, then reliability of engagement is improved, but device complexity increases and tool assistance is required for disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the retention mechanism from a spring-based system to an elastomeric material-based system. The elastomeric material inherently provides both the retention force and the compliance needed for engagement, eliminating the separate spring component and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliable engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by integrating the elastomeric material within the rigid connector body. This combination of materials provides both structural support and elastic retention properties, creating a multi-functional component that reduces overall device complexity while ensuring reliable engagement.
2Reliability
If multiple parts are used to ensure secure engagement, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring tool assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retention clip function, the mounting structure, and the elastomeric retention mechanism into a single integrated connector assembly. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate parts and tool assistance, allowing for simple one-handed operation while maintaining secure engagement through the elastomeric material's inherent properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple design is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but retention force is insufficient to prevent accidental disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid to elastomeric, which provides inherent elastic recovery properties. This single material selection simultaneously achieves simple manufacturing (through integrated design) and sufficient retention force (through the elastomeric material's elastic deformation and recovery characteristics).
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 simplifies assembly, reduces the number of parts, enables one-handed operation, increases disassembly force requirements, and provides improved reliability and protection of components, while allowing for symmetrical and tool-free assembly and secure retention of the ball mount.
Implementation Method 1
An elastically deformable race is fitted within the circular opening of the end fitting
Implementation Method 2
one of the race or the peripheral wall includes a raised circumferential ridge and the other of the race and the peripheral wall includes an annular groove sized for receiving the raised circumferential ridge
Data Source
AI summary
An end fitting connector assembly includes an end fitting having a first end, a second end and a through opening that extends in a direction that is transverse to an end fitting axis extending through the first and second ends and in which the through opening is defined by a peripheral wall. An elastically deformable race fitted into the through opening of the end fitting includes an exterior surface that engages the peripheral wall and an interior surface configured to provide snap fitting engagement with a spherical ball mount. At least one feature retaining the race within the end fitting creates an increased disassembly force, which may prevent disassembly without employing a release tool or release feature. The interior and exterior surfaces of the race can include spherical surfaces for conforming to the spherical ball and the peripheral wall of the end fitting.