Quarter Turn Fastener for Electrical Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bolted joints in electrical connectors are prone to unintentional loosening due to vibrations and dynamic loads, leading to potential electrical disconnections and safety hazards, especially in applications requiring high current passage, where traditional threaded fasteners fail to maintain a consistent clamp force and require over-engineered structures for torque-based assembly.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector utilizing a quarter turn fastener with helical cam slots and a biasing mechanism, which maintains a constant clamp force across electrical contact surfaces, allowing for secure and quick connection/disconnection while resisting vibrations, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms or anti-vibration washers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional threaded fasteners are used, then the joint can be disconnected, but the fastener becomes loose due to vibrations and dynamic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener system transitions from a static threaded connection to a dynamic cam-based mechanism that automatically adapts to vibrational and dynamic loads. The cam profile is designed to maintain constant clamp force despite external disturbances, with the follower riding along the cam surface rather than following threads that can loosen under vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of force transmission from friction-dependent thread engagement to geometry-dependent cam-follower contact. The cam profile parameters are specifically designed to maintain constant normal force on the follower, ensuring stable clamp force on the joint interface regardless of vibrations or dynamic loads.
2Reliability
If threaded fasteners are tightened to generate sufficient friction torque, then vibrational loosening is prevented, but the structure becomes over-engineered and requires specialized torque tools
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the friction-based threaded fastening system with a geometry-based cam-follower mechanism. Instead of relying on friction torque to prevent loosening, the cam profile geometry inherently maintains constant clamp force, eliminating the need for high-torque tightening and specialized tools while reducing structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If quarter turn fastener with cam slots and biasing mechanism is used, then constant clamp force is maintained and quick disconnection is enabled, but the fastener structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is segmented into distinct functional elements: the cam body with profiled slots, the follower components, and the biasing mechanism. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function efficiently while enabling quick assembly by simply engaging the cam slots with the followers, and rapid disconnection by rotating the cam body.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam slots are designed to engage with the followers in a dynamic manner, allowing automatic alignment and locking during assembly. The biasing mechanism provides dynamic force to maintain contact between cam and follower surfaces, ensuring constant clamp force without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
4Reliability
If additional locking mechanisms or anti-vibration washers are added to threaded fasteners, then loosening is prevented, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the fastening function, vibration resistance, and constant clamp force maintenance into a single integrated cam-follower mechanism. The cam profile itself provides both the fastening action and the vibration resistance, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms or anti-vibration washers that would increase component count and complexity.
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 solution provides a secure, reliable, and quick detachable fastening system that maintains constant clamp force, preventing unwanted disconnections and ensuring safe high-current passage without the need for specialized torque tools, thus enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing means, the connector further comprising means for connection to an electrical assembly, wherein the electrical connector maintains a constant clamp force across the surfaces
Implementation Method 2
a quarter turn fastener, the quarter turn fastener comprising a stud having at least one helical cam slot and a receptacle comprising at least one cam follower
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector (2) comprising a quarter turn fastener (4), the quarter turn fastener (4) comprising a stud (6) having at least one helical cam slot (8) and a receptacle (10) comprising at least one cam follower (24) and a biasing means (12), the connector further comprising means for connection (14) to an electrical assembly, wherein the electrical connector has a first electrical contact surface (16) and a second electrical contact surface (17) and releasably connects the first and second surfaces in operative engagement, and wherein the electrical connector maintains a constant clamp force across the surfaces.