High Voltage Connector Rotating Housing Visual Interlock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-voltage connectors make it difficult for users to verify the connection or disconnection of interlock terminals, which can lead to incomplete connections and potential electrical shocks due to the hidden nature of terminal engagement.
Innovation Solution
A high-voltage connector design featuring a rotating cover housing that allows users to visually confirm the connection status of power and interlock terminals through the degree of rotation, with a cap housing that inserts or withdraws from a plug housing via rotational motion, ensuring secure engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second housing is inserted into the first housing to connect terminals, then the power and interlock terminals are connected sequentially to prevent arcing, but it becomes difficult for operators to know if the interlock terminals are properly connected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded indicators on the housing to show the connection status of terminals. Different colors indicate whether power terminals and interlock terminals are connected or disconnected, making the status visible to operators without exposing the actual electrical terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces indicator elements as intermediaries between the actual terminal connections and the operator's perception. These indicators transmit information about connection status without requiring direct observation of the electrical terminals themselves.
2Reliability
If the interlock terminals have shorter lengths than power terminals to ensure sequential connection, then arcing is prevented, but the connection status becomes hidden and difficult to verify
Solution Approach 1:
Color-coded indicators on the housing show the connection status of both power and interlock terminals. The indicators change color or become visible when terminals are connected, allowing operators to verify the shorter interlock terminals are properly engaged without exposing the terminals themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent translates the connection status information from the electrical domain (terminal engagement) to the visual domain (indicators on housing surface). This dimensional transformation allows operators to detect connection status externally without needing to see or access the terminals.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a rotational mechanism is used to connect the cap housing to the plug housing, then the connection status becomes visually indicator through rotation degree, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational mechanism serves multiple functions: it mechanically connects the cap housing to the plug housing, sequentially engages the terminals in the correct order, and simultaneously provides visual indication of connection status through the degree of rotation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate indication mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the connection mechanism and indication mechanism into a single integrated system. The act of rotation itself provides the indication, merging the functional action of connection with the informational output of status display.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a high voltage connector in which an interlock terminal and a power connection terminal to which a high voltage is applied are sequentially connected or disconnected by rotation, thereby minimizing the size of the connector and allowing a user to check whether each of the terminals is connected or not. The high voltage connector of the present invention comprises: a plug housing inside which is installed a power connection terminal and an interlock connection plug; a cap housing inserted into the inside of the plug housing, and inside which are installed an interlock connecting tab which is capable of connection with the interlock connection plug, and a power connection terminal tab which is capable of connection with the power connection terminal; and a cover housing installed on the top of the cap housing for connecting or disconnecting the power connection terminal tab and the interlock connecting tab with the power connection terminal and the interlock connection plug by inserting or withdrawing the cap housing from the inside of the plug housing by rotation.