Front Release Retaining Ring for Electrical Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-conductor cable connectors face challenges with rear release designs that are difficult to remove, require specialized tools, and have issues with dimensional tolerances and misplaced retaining rings, leading to potential damage and installation complexities.

Innovation Solution

A front release electrical interconnection system with a receptacle and plug assembly, featuring a retaining ring that expands for secure coupling and easy removal, reducing the risk of damage and misplacement, and incorporating a biasing mechanism for vibration damping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rear release connectors with internal leaf springs are used, then contacts can be secured within the shell, but removal becomes difficult requiring specialized tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact retentionVSAvoidcontact removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional rear release mechanism by implementing a front release retaining ring. Instead of securing contacts from the rear and requiring tool access at the back, the retaining ring is accessed and operated from the front, allowing tool-free removal by simply pulling the contact forward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the retaining ring as a separate, removable component from the shell assembly. This allows the retaining ring to be independently manipulated and removed without disassembling the entire connector, enabling easy contact removal while maintaining secure retention during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If thin-walled retaining rings are used for front release, then contacts can be easily removed, but bearing surface is reduced and dimensional tolerances become critical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact removalVSAvoiddimensional tolerances

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining ring features asymmetric wall thickness distribution with thicker walls at the engagement surfaces and thinner walls in non-critical areas. This provides adequate bearing surface and dimensional stability where needed while maintaining ease of expansion and contraction for simple insertion and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different wall thicknesses at different locations of the retaining ring. The engagement surfaces have sufficient thickness to provide reliable contact retention, while other portions can be thinner to facilitate easy deformation during installation and removal, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If removable retaining rings are used, then contacts can be easily installed and removed, but the retaining rings may be misplaced or installed incorrectly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact installationVSAvoidretaining ring positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining ring is nested within a dedicated groove or recess in the shell, which guides its installation and prevents misplacement. The nested structure ensures the retaining ring is always positioned correctly relative to the contact, eliminating the risk of incorrect installation while maintaining easy removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary guiding structure or feature between the retaining ring and the contact. This intermediary element ensures proper alignment and positioning during installation, preventing misplacement while allowing the retaining ring to remain removable for maintenance and replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system provides a durable, cost-effective solution for securely coupling conductors while simplifying the installation and removal process, reducing the risk of damage to the retaining rings and the environment, and enhancing protection against contaminants.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a biasing mechanism for vibration damping

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a retaining ring configured to be secured within the shell to secure the contact to the shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7753741B2Electrical interconnection systems and methods of assembling the same

Publication Date: 2010.07.13 TIMES MICROWAVE SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

An electrical interconnection system is described. The electrical interconnection system comprises a first contact and a second contact configured to electrically couple together. The system also comprises a receptacle assembly including a receptacle shell and a first retaining ring secured within the receptacle shell. The receptacle assembly is configured to couple the first contact to the receptacle shell. The system further comprises a plug assembly including a plug shell and a second retaining ring secured within the plug shell. The plug assembly is configured to couple the second contact to the plug shell. The receptacle shell and the plug shell are further configured to align the first contact and the second contact for coupling together.