Plug Connection Axial Displacement Release Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing releasable plug connections for dental water jets and ear syringes are not secure enough, as they can be easily pulled out with high forces or require excessive force for release, and are difficult to adjust, making them unsuitable for consistent user experience.

Innovation Solution

A plug connection design where the locking surface extends radially along the longitudinal axis of the jack and plug, with a two-section axial displacement mechanism and radially angled lugs on the nozzle tube that engage with a spring-loaded contact point, allowing secure hold and controlled release through axial displacement rather than pulling force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a ball latch with compression spring is used to secure the plug in the jack, then the plug connection can be released by pulling force, but the connection becomes insecure and can be easily pulled out inadvertently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of releaseVSAvoidsecurity of connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The jack is divided into two sections that can be displaced relative to each other axially. The locking surface is formed on one section while the other section has a contact point for the latch. This segmentation allows the release mechanism to act on the latch through axial displacement rather than direct pulling force on the plug, resolving the contradiction between easy release and secure connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the compression spring force is increased to prevent inadvertent pull-out, then the connection becomes more secure, but excessive force is required for release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of connectionVSAvoidease of release

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latch is designed with a radial locking action that engages with the locking surface. The release mechanism operates by axial displacement of the jack sections, which translates to radial movement of the latch through the contact point. This dimensional transformation allows the spring force to be optimized for secure locking while the release force is determined by the axial spring preload between sections, independent of the radial latch spring force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the locking surface is designed to prevent pull-out, then high pulling forces are required for release, but the connection becomes insecure against inadvertent removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against pull-outVSAvoidease of release

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a traditional ball latch mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the connection cannot be securely held and released with consistent force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of structureVSAvoidconsistency of hold and release force

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The jack sections are designed to be dynamically displaceable relative to each other axially, with a spring providing controlled preload. This dynamic mechanism ensures that the latch is consistently engaged with the locking surface during normal operation, and can be consistently released by overcoming the spring preload through axial displacement. The dynamic design provides consistent holding and release forces while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design ensures a secure hold of the nozzle tube in the jack, preventing accidental removal and allowing consistent release force, independent of the spring force, thus providing a reliable and user-friendly connection for dental water jets and ear syringes.

Implementation Method 1

the latch, for instance, is formed by a ball set in the plug which, against the force of a compression spring also arranged in the plug, can be radially displaced relative to the plug

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the other section has a contact point for the latch which is arranged so that on pushing together of the sections against the force of a spring acting in axial direction the latch contacts the contact point and is pushed from the locking surface in radial direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9194520B2Plug connection

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 MIRAGE HEALTH GROUP

AI summary

A releasable plug connection for inserting a nozzle tube into a jack includes a hollow cylinder and a sleeve displaceably mounted on the cylinder. A nozzle tube, forming the hollow cylinder, is provided with radially spring-loaded lugs, the free ends of which are in contact with a locking surface. The locking surface is formed on a flange of the sleeve, which can slide relative to the hollow cylinder against the force of a spring. To release the connection, the sleeve is pushed back so that the lugs are pushed inwardly, and ends of the lugs slide from the locking surface. As soon as the lug ends have left the locking surface, the nozzle tube shoots from the jack under the action of the spring.