Rotatable Connector With Curved Conductor Track
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Solution Overview
Problem
In confined spaces, the assembly of sensors with cables is challenging due to cable orientation issues and the difficulty of mounting pre-wired sensors, which often results in assembly difficulties or impossibility.
Innovation Solution
A connector design where the first connector part can rotate about an axis of rotation with a curved conductor track, allowing alignment post-connection, and featuring a centering element for precise positioning, ensuring reliable electrical contact and flexible cable routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable is permanently connected to a device housing, then the connection is stable and reliable, but the flexibility and adaptability of the system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate parts: a first connector part that connects to the sensor housing and a second connector part that connects to the control device. This segmentation allows the cable to be disconnected and reconnected with different orientations, providing flexibility while maintaining stable electrical contact through the connector interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design allows the first connector part to be rotated about an axis of rotation after connection, enabling dynamic adjustment of the cable orientation. This dynamic capability permits the system to adapt to different installation situations while maintaining reliable electrical contact throughout the range of motion.
2Ease of manufacture
If sensors are mounted with pre-attached cables, then the sensing function is ready, but the assembly difficulty increases in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable first connector part allows the cable to be oriented in different directions after the sensor is mounted in the confined space. This dynamic adjustment capability enables installers to route the cable through tight spaces and around obstacles without requiring precise pre-planning of the cable path during sensor installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design changes the orientation parameter of the cable after installation by allowing rotation about the axis of rotation. This parameter change enables the cable to be redirected to accommodate different installation locations and space constraints without requiring sensor removal or repositioning.
3Productivity
If the cable orientation relative to the sensor housing is unfavorable, then the assembly can be completed, but the assembly time and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable connector part provides a simple dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the cable orientation to be optimized after installation. This eliminates the need for complex pre-planning and precise positioning during assembly, thereby increasing assembly speed while reducing overall assembly complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector for joining an electrical conductor comprises a first connector part and a second connector part, each having at least one contact element and being connectable to one another such that at least one contact element of the first connector part touches a contact element of the second connector part to form an electrical contact. In the connected state, the first connector part is rotatably guided about an axis of rotation on the second connector part, wherein at least the contact element of the first connector part is designed as a curved conductor track whose center of curvature coincides at least substantially with the axis of rotation. The first connector part has a contact surface extending transversely to the axis of rotation, onto which the curved conductor track is applied.