Rotatable Cable Retention for Secure Vehicle Power Supply Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supplies for vehicles with specialized electronics lack secure and reliable cable retention systems, leading to potential disconnections during vehicle operation, especially in environments where access to the power supply is limited.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system that includes a housing, an electrical power source, a power supply connector, a cable retainer, and an electrical cable with a cable connector that is axially rotatable to engage with the cable retainer, preventing accidental disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple connector design is used, then ease of connection is improved, but cable retention reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a rotatable cable retention feature that transitions between positions. The retention feature can rotate from a first position where it engages with a retention structure to a second position where it disengages, allowing dynamic control of cable retention state while maintaining simple connector architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into separate functional components: a connector body for electrical connection and a rotatable cable retention feature for mechanical securing. This segmentation allows the retention function to be independently controlled through rotation without complicating the basic connection mechanism
2Reliability
If a secure cable retention mechanism is added, then cable retention reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable retention feature is merged with the connector housing as an integrated rotatable component rather than a separate mechanism. This combining approach provides secure retention functionality while avoiding the complexity of additional separate parts and assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
A simple rotatable movement is used to provide secure retention, avoiding complex locking mechanisms, threads, or multiple fastening elements. The rotational degree of freedom provides effective retention control with minimal structural complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
Power supplies and methods of use thereof are disclosed. One power supply includes an electrical power source, a power supply connector, a housing, a cable retainer, and an electrical cable. The power supply connector is in electrical communication with the electrical power source. The housing at least partially contains the electrical power source and supports the power supply connector. The cable retainer is coupled to the housing. The electrical cable has a cable connector configured to be connected to the power supply connector to communicate with the electrical power source. The cable connector is configured to be axially rotatable while connected to the power supply connector between a first position, in which the cable connector can be disconnected from the power supply connector, and a second position, in which the cable connector engages with the cable retainer to prevent disconnection of the cable connector from the power supply connector.