Rotatable Locking Plug Connector Housing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors in harsh industrial environments are difficult to replace quickly, leading to significant downtime when damaged, as they are often secured with threads or screws that are hard to disassemble on a job site.
Innovation Solution
A rotatably locking plug and connector system featuring a spring-loaded spacer and tab retention mechanism that allows for easy insertion and removal of electrical connectors, using channels and retention members to secure the connector within a housing, enabling quick replacement without compromising security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional threaded or screwed coupling mechanisms are used to secure the housing to the electrical connector, then secure protection is provided, but replacement becomes difficult and time-consuming on a working job site
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into discrete modular components: a housing with external lugs, a connector body with corresponding slots, and a separate locking mechanism featuring a rotatable locking member with protrusions. This segmentation allows the connector to be quickly assembled by inserting the connector into the housing and rotating the locking member to engage the protrusions with the slots, enabling rapid replacement without compromising security.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static threaded/screwed connection to a dynamic rotatable locking system. The locking member can be rotated between locked and unlocked positions, allowing the connector to be quickly secured or removed. This dynamic capability enables the connector to be firmly held during operation yet easily replaced when needed, resolving the contradiction between secure protection and ease of repair.
2Reliability
If conventional threaded or screwed coupling mechanisms are used to secure the housing to the electrical connector, then secure protection is provided, but work must be stopped while waiting for repair
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is pre-configured with alignment features: the housing has external lugs that guide the connector body into proper orientation, and the locking member has protrusions that align with slots in the connector. This preliminary alignment allows the connector to be quickly inserted and locked without requiring complex alignment procedures or stopping work for extended periods, maintaining both security and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable locking mechanism provides dynamic control over the connection state, allowing workers to quickly transition between locked and unlocked states. This enables rapid replacement of connectors during operation with minimal downtime, while still providing secure protection when locked, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
3Ease of repair
If a rotatable locking mechanism with multiple channels and retention members is used, then quick replacement is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into integrated components: the housing incorporates external lugs and internal slots that guide and secure the connector; the locking member combines rotation capability with protrusions that engage the slots; the spacer integrates force application features. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the quick replacement capability, balancing ease of repair with acceptable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism serves multiple functions through its design: the rotatable locking member provides both locking and unlocking capabilities; the slots and protrusions provide both guidance during insertion and secure retention when locked; the spacer provides both positioning and force application. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing device complexity while enabling quick replacement.
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
Enables rapid and secure connection and disconnection of electrical connectors, reducing downtime in industrial settings by allowing for quick replacement and protection against harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The spring can be any suitable spring configured to apply force to the electrical connector, such as, but not limited to, coil springs, leaf springs, or bellows. In one embodiment, the spring is a compression spring.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for coupling an electrical connector to a cable is provided. The apparatus includes an electrical connector having at least one tab extending radially out from the electrical connector and a housing rotatably coupled to the electrical connector. The housing includes at least one first channel disposed along an interior of the housing, wherein the at least one tab is configured to slidably engage the first channel. The housing also includes a spacer applying a first force in a first direction to the electrical connector. The housing also includes at least one tab retention member disposed along the interior of the housing, wherein the tab retention member is annularly disposed from the first channel and prevents the electrical connector from traveling beyond a predetermined distance in the first direction.