Circular Plug Connector Anti-Rotation Ball Lock Against Uncoupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors, such as MIL-DTL-38999 connectors, suffer from wear and large angular rotations due to the spacing between teeth in their anti-rotation mechanisms, leading to loosening and uncoupling in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A circular plug connector with an anti-rotation mechanism featuring a locking ball, biasing member, and clicker disk, including oval-shaped dimples on a ring plate to securely hold the outer coupling ring in place, preventing rotation and uncoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional teeth-based anti-rotation mechanism is used, then the connector can resist rotation, but the teeth are subject to wear over time and large angular rotations occur between teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking function from the traditional teeth structure and relocates it to a separate locking ball mechanism that interacts with dimples on the ring plate. This separation allows the teeth to serve only as engagement features while the locking ball-dimple system provides the anti-rotation function, eliminating wear issues from the teeth.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking ball serves as an intermediary element between the outer coupling ring and the ring plate. Instead of direct tooth-to-tooth engagement, the locking ball mediates the anti-rotation function by engaging with the dimples, distributing wear and reducing angular rotation between engagement points.
2Device complexity
If teeth with large spacing are used, then the anti-rotation mechanism is simpler, but large angular rotations occur between the teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous anti-rotation function into discrete engagement points through multiple dimples arranged circumferentially on the ring plate. This segmentation allows the locking ball to engage at multiple predetermined positions, preventing large angular rotations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional anti-rotation mechanism is used, then the connector can be assembled, but loosening of the coupling nut occurs under vibration and shock
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is pre-loaded to apply continuous force to the locking ball, ensuring it remains engaged with the dimples on the ring plate. This preliminary action of pre-loading the spring ensures the anti-rotation mechanism remains effective under vibration and shock conditions without requiring complex additional features.
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 mechanism provides a robust connection that withstands harsh environments by maintaining the interface between connectors, resisting rotation and uncoupling, even under stress from vibration and shock.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member interfacing with the locking ball
Data Source
AI summary
A circular plug connector includes a plug shell having a cavity, a plug insert received in the cavity, and plug contacts held in the plug insert. The circular plug connector includes an outer coupling ring rotatable about the plug shell and having threads configured to be threadably coupled to a mating connector. The circular plug connector includes an anti-rotation mechanism between the plug shell and the outer coupling ring to resist rotation of the outer coupling ring relative to the plug shell. The anti-rotation mechanism includes a locking ball, a biasing member interfacing with the locking ball, and a clicker disk. The clicker disk includes a ring plate surrounding the plug shell and an array of dimples circumferentially spaced apart along the ring plate.