Rotatable Circular Connector Adapter with Positive Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circular connectors in the aerospace industry often require bending and twisting to align, leading to stress and reduced reliability due to inconsistent installation of master keyways, which shortens the life of electrical harnesses.
Innovation Solution
An adjustably rotatable circular connector adapter with a positive locking feature, featuring a locking ring with internal splines that aligns the master keyways precisely and locks the position, preventing rotation and ensuring secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If circular connectors are installed with inconsistent master keyway locations, then the connectors can be mated by bending and twisting the cable, but this creates stress and tension that shortens the life and reliability of the harness assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates a rotatable section that can rotate relative to the body section, allowing dynamic adjustment of the connector orientation to match different keyway positions. This rotational freedom eliminates the need for cable bending and twisting, thereby maintaining harness reliability while enabling easy alignment with various connector orientations
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is divided into distinct sections: a body section with a first connector, a rotatable section with a second connector that can rotate independently, and a locking section. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the body provides structural support, the rotatable section enables orientation adjustment, and the locking section secures the alignment - thereby solving the contradiction between ease of alignment and harness reliability
2Measurement precision
If a rotatable adapter is used to align connectors precisely, then the harness position can be locked securely, but the device complexity increases with additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking section acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rotatable section and the body section. It includes a locking member with engagement features that interface with corresponding features on the rotatable section, providing a simple yet effective positive locking action that secures the aligned position without requiring complex multi-step locking procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-latching. The locking member includes engagement features that automatically engage with the rotatable section when the desired alignment is achieved, eliminating the need for additional alignment tools or complex manual locking procedures. The spring-loaded or resilient nature of the locking member provides automatic engagement and retention
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable and positive lockable circular connector including a spin coupling having an axial bore therethrough; a cylindrical connection interface inserted into the axial bore of the spin coupling; and an adapter body having an internal bore into which the spin coupling is axially inserted, thereby placing the spin coupling, connection interface, and adapter body into axial alignment. The adapter body includes a shielded branch for passing conductor wires. A locking system permits selective rotation of the spin coupling in relation to the adapter body when the apparatus is in an unlocked position, and positively locks the spin coupling in relation to the adapter body when the apparatus is in a locked position. Grounding elements maintain a ground path from the branch shielding to a connector shell coupled to the spin coupling.