Lockable Connector With Ball Bolt Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional push/pull connectors are unsuitable for harsh environments and have large dimensions, making them difficult to engage or disengage with one hand, especially in vibrating conditions common in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A compact, rectangular-shaped connection assembly with a bolt locking mechanism, featuring a housing with a cable passage and elastic piston contacts, and a locking member with a barrel of balls for secure engagement and disengagement, allowing one-handed operation and reliable connection in adverse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional push/pull connectors are used, then connection reliability is achieved, but the dimensions are large and operation becomes difficult with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: a compact housing containing the locking mechanism, a separate bolt assembly with ball locking system, and modular contact elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness for one-handed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector transitions from conventional cylindrical geometry to a rectangular parallelepiped shape, utilizing three-dimensional space more efficiently. The height is reduced to less than half the greatest length of the coupling face, creating a flattened profile that is easier to manipulate with one hand while maintaining connection reliability through the bolt locking mechanism.
2Volume of moving object
If rectangular-shaped connectors with side locking mechanisms are used, then dimensions are reduced, but suitability for harsh environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism incorporates spherical balls within a cylindrical barrel, utilizing curved surfaces and radial symmetry to create a robust locking system. The balls engage with correspondingly curved surfaces in the base, providing reliable mechanical interlocking that resists harsh environmental conditions while maintaining compact rectangular overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector employs simple, robust mechanical elements such as steel balls, springs, and elastic piston contacts that are inherently resistant to environmental degradation. These basic mechanical components require no complex seals or protective coatings, making them naturally suitable for harsh environments including sandy wind and mud conditions.
3Ease of operation
If compact design is implemented, then ease of one-handed operation is improved, but locking reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic piston contacts are pre-loaded with spring force to automatically engage with the base contacts upon insertion. The bolt locking mechanism is pre-positioned with balls ready to engage, so that simply pushing the connector together automatically triggers both electrical contact and mechanical locking without requiring additional manual steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector employs self-actuating mechanisms where the actuation of one component automatically triggers the locking function. When the plug is inserted, the elastic piston contacts simultaneously engage the base contacts and trigger the bolt mechanism, causing the balls to engage with the base. The spring-loaded system automatically maintains locking force without requiring external adjustment or monitoring.
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 provides a reliable, compact, and easily operable connection assembly that can withstand environmental vibrations and harsh conditions, ensuring secure engagement and disengagement with reduced dimensions, facilitating one-handed operation.
Implementation Method 1
Each connection pin 24 of the plug consists of an elastic piston contact, that is to say that the pin comprises a metal pin 40 movably mounted to slide in a cylindrical cage 42 secured to the housing 14 with a compressed spring. 44 interposed between the bottom of the cage 42 and one end of the pin 40. This spring is able to urge the pin 40 towards the outside of the cage in the direction of the complementary contact 18 of the base.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a connection assembly (10) which comprises: a socket (12) provided with connection pins (18); a plug (14) provided with matching connection pins (24) and suitable for being inserted on the socket (12); and a means (82) for locking the plug (14) relative to the socket (12) while the matching pins (18, 24) are engaged; in which the locking means comprises: a bolt (80) secured to either the plug (14) or the socket (12), said bolt (80) comprising a barrel (84) provided with balls (86) movable between a locking position in which said balls are projecting in relation to the barrel (84) and a position in which said balls are retracted inside the barrel (84), and a rod (88) for retaining the balls in the locking position thereof, said rod (88) being movable relative to the barrel (84) between a position in which the balls (86) are released and a position in which the balls (86) are retained in the locked and projecting position thereof, a shaft (82) arranged in the other one of the plug (14) or the socket (12), said shaft (82) being suitable for at least partially receiving the bolt (80) and having a groove (122) for receiving the balls (86) in the locked and projecting position thereof, and said shaft comprises a spring (90) for returning the rod (88) towards the ball-retaining position thereof, and the rod (88) has a cam surface (114) suitable for pushing the balls (86) back into the locked position thereof when the spring (90) urges the rod (88) towards the retaining position thereof. The spring (90) is such that, when the rod (88) is moved in order to release the balls (86), the return force exerted by the spring (90) is less than the sum of the separating forces exerted between the plug (14) and the socket (12).