Locking Electrical Contact Assembly With Delayed Contact Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector systems lack a secure mechanism to prevent accidental disconnection and ensure safe engagement of electrical contacts, particularly in locking style connectors, where immediate energization upon insertion can be hazardous.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector assembly features a dual-portion design with a movable second portion and an actuator that biases the electrical contacts apart until the actuator is manually activated, allowing staged engagement and disengagement, ensuring safe and secure connections by maintaining contacts in a non-energized state during insertion and withdrawal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the second portion is biased away from the first portion to prevent accidental energization, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for biasing mechanisms and actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The connector applies a preliminary biasing force that keeps the second portion away from the first portion before engagement, preventing accidental energization. The biasing mechanism (spring or elastic element) continuously exerts a separating force, and only when the actuator is deliberately actuated does this anti-action cease, allowing engagement to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector performs a preliminary action of separating the second portion from the first portion using a biasing mechanism before actual engagement. This preliminary separation ensures that electrical contacts cannot accidentally engage, and the system is prepared in a safe state until deliberate actuation occurs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the actuator mechanism is added to control engagement, then connection safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional manual steps
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the electrical contacts. It mediates the engagement process by controlling when the second portion can move toward the first portion. The actuator translates a simple user action (pressing or rotating) into the complex sequence of events required for safe engagement, shielding the user from the complexity of the biasing and release mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the second portion is made movable in rotational and translational manner, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased potential for misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional portions: a first portion containing electrical contacts, a second portion that can move independently, and an actuator mechanism. This segmentation allows the second portion to perform rotational and translational movements for adaptability while maintaining reliable alignment through dedicated alignment features and guided movement paths for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The second portion is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing it to rotate and translate relative to the first portion. This dynamic design enables the connector to adapt to different engagement scenarios while maintaining reliability through controlled movement paths and alignment mechanisms that ensure proper contact alignment throughout the range of motion.
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
This solution provides a safer and more secure electrical connection by preventing accidental energization during insertion and withdrawal, ensuring the electrical contacts are only engaged when intentionally activated, thus enhancing user safety and connection reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The second portion is biased away from the first portion such that the second electrical contacts are biased away from the first electrical contacts
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical contact device and a second electrical contact device. The first electrical contact device includes a plurality of conductors. The second electrical contact device includes a first portion, a second portion movable in a rotational and translational manner relative to the first portion, and an actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The first portion includes first electrical contacts, and the second portion includes electrical sockets. Each socket receives an associated conductor and includes a second electrical contact aligned with an associated first electrical contact. The second portion is biased away from the first portion. When the actuator is in the first position, the actuator inhibits translational movement of the second portion toward the first portion. When the actuator is in the second position, the second portion is movable toward the first portion to permit the second electrical contacts to engage the first electrical contacts.