Plasma Torch Link Device Safety Key Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plasma torch connectors are prone to accidental disengagement from the power supply, leading to insecure connections.
Innovation Solution
A link device with a safety key and stop means that engages between the connector and housing, featuring first and second connection means for a removable blocking mechanism to securely lock the connector in place, preventing accidental disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple connector design is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to accidental disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional components: a blocking means for preventing disengagement, a safety key for securing the connection, and stop means for limiting movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking means is designed to engage automatically upon connection, providing preliminary protection against accidental disengagement before the user needs to take any action. The safety key is positioned and configured to be inserted and engaged in advance, ensuring the connection is secured before operation begins.
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is added, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional steps required
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking means is designed to engage automatically when the connector is inserted into the housing, without requiring user intervention. The safety key and stop means work together to automatically secure the connection in the engaged position, allowing the connector to lock itself and reducing the operational steps required.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety key is designed to be easily removable from the connector assembly, allowing users to quickly detach the connector by simply removing the key without having to manipulate complex locking mechanisms. This extraction approach simplifies the operation while maintaining security during use.
3Reliability
If a blocking mechanism is implemented, then the reliability is improved by preventing accidental disengagement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking means, safety key, and stop means are integrated into a unified connector assembly where components work together synergistically. The blocking means is incorporated into the connector body, the safety key engages with features on both the connector and housing, and the stop means is integrated into the housing structure, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety key acts as an intermediary element between the connector and the housing, mediating the connection and securing it in place. This intermediary component simplifies the overall design by providing a single element that coordinates the interaction between the connector and housing, reducing the need for multiple complex locking mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A link device (1) for a plasma torch and/or welding system has a connector (2) for engaging into a housing (3) of a feeder. The device (1) includes a safety key (4) that, in a link condition of the device in which the connector (2) is engaged in the housing (3), assigned to be housed at least partially in a respective space between the external wall of the connector (2) and the internal wall of housing (3); such key (4) is equipped with first stop means (5) which, in the link condition, matches with second stop means (6) of housing (3) avoiding the disengagement of the key (4) from housing (3); key (4) and connector (2) are respectively provided with first connection means (7) and with second connection means (9) for a removable blocking means (8) to block the connector (2) to key (4) and then to housing (3).