Electrical Plug Connector Cover Ring for Contamination and Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical plug connectors are prone to contamination from aggressive gases due to design features like grooves on the actuation ring, and can be tampered with by unauthorized individuals due to insecure locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The electrical plug connector incorporates a cover ring that surrounds the actuation ring's bayonet locking device, preventing contamination and includes a locking mechanism that irreversibly secures the cover ring in a locked configuration, enhancing safety by preventing unauthorized disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If grooves are provided on the actuation ring to control the clamp ring, then the clamp ring can be controlled between receiving and clamping configurations, but contaminations can migrate into the electrical plug connector through the grooves
Solution Approach 1:
A cover ring is introduced as an intermediary component that covers the grooves on the actuation ring. The cover ring has corresponding grooves that align with the actuation ring grooves to allow actuation, but also has a locking mechanism that can secure it in a closed position to prevent contamination ingress while maintaining the ability to control the clamp ring when needed
2Ease of operation
If the actuation ring is provided with grooves for bayonet locking, then the actuation ring can be controlled between positions, but the locking mechanism can be operated by non-authorized persons
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented into two separate components: the bayonet locking device on the actuation ring and the separate cover ring with its own locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the cover ring to act as an additional security layer that prevents unauthorized operation of the actuation ring while maintaining legitimate access when needed
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover ring is added to cover the bayonet locking device, then contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover ring combines multiple functions into a single component: it covers the bayonet locking device to prevent contamination, provides an additional locking mechanism for security, and maintains access to the actuation ring grooves when needed. This merging of functions minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving multiple protective goals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 3
AI summary
There is disclosed an electrical plug connector (6) comprising a clamp portion (7) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) for receiving and clamping an electrical cable (5). The clamp portion (7) comprises a clamp housing (12), a clamp ring (14) being controllable between a receiving configuration and a clamping configuration, an actuation ring (15) configured to control the clamp ring (14) between the receiving configuration and the clamping configuration, a bayonet locking device (16) configured to secure the actuation ring (15) on the clamp housing (12), an cover ring (17) being rotatable around the longitudinal axis (A) and being arranged such to surround at least a section (18) of the actuation ring (15); and a locking device for locking the cover ring (17) in a locked configuration on the clamp housing (12) at which the cover ring (17) is secured and the locking device being configured to be activated at least upon rotation of the cover ring (17) around the longitudinal axis (A).