Rotating Pressing Body Cable Connector for Automatic Connection State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable connectors require manual inspection to detect connection states, leading to potential delays in identifying accidentally disconnected cables and subsequent repair.
Innovation Solution
A cable connector design featuring a housing, conductive element, pressing body, elastic piece, and terminals that allow for automatic detection of electrical connection states through a rotating mechanism, enabling timely identification of connection status between the cable and connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspection is used to detect connection states, then device complexity is reduced, but detection timeliness and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connection function and detection function into a single integrated connector structure. The conductive element serves dual purposes: it provides electrical connection when the cable is properly inserted, and simultaneously acts as a detection mechanism to indicate connection status through its contact state with the pressing body and terminal. This merging eliminates the need for separate detection devices while ensuring reliable detection of connection states.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector performs self-detection of its own connection state through the interaction between the conductive element, pressing body, and terminal. When the cable is inserted, the conductive element automatically makes or breaks contact with the pressing body, which in turn opens or closes the electrical connection between terminals. This self-service mechanism provides automatic detection without requiring external monitoring devices or manual inspection.
2Loss of time
If automatic detection mechanism is added to the connector, then detection timeliness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is merged with the connection function using the same structural components. The conductive element, pressing body, and terminal work together to provide both mechanical connection and electrical detection in a single integrated system, achieving automatic real-time detection without adding separate detection devices or increasing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive element serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection during normal operation and simultaneously acts as a detection element by making or breaking contact with the pressing body based on cable insertion status. The pressing body and terminal also participate in both connection and detection functions, creating a multi-functional system that achieves automatic detection without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the pressing body is designed to rotate between positions, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the connection mechanism by using a separate pressing body that can rotate independently. The pressing body's rotation between first and second positions provides clear binary detection states (connected/not connected) through its contact or non-contact with the terminal, achieving high detection accuracy. The elastic piece provides restoring force to ensure reliable positioning without requiring high manufacturing precision for the rotation mechanism itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing body changes its rotational position parameter between two distinct states: the first position where it contacts the terminal to open the electrical connection, and the second position where it releases the terminal to close the connection. This parameter change provides clear, unambiguous detection of connection status. The elastic piece ensures the pressing body reliably returns to the first position, providing consistent detection accuracy without requiring high precision in the rotation mechanism.
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 immediate detection of electrical connection states, ensuring timely identification of disconnections and facilitating prompt repair, thereby enhancing reliability and efficiency in cable connections.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic piece, fixed on the housing, and abutted against the pressing body at the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector comprises a housing, a conductive element fixed on the housing and connected with the cable, an elastic piece adjacent to the conductive element, detective and switch terminals fixed on the housing and connected with a pressing plate. The pressing plate is rotatable between a first position and a second position. When the pressing body is abutted at the first position by the elastic piece, a receiving gap between the elastic piece and the conductive element is closed to prevent the cable from entering, and the pressing body is abutted against the switch terminal to define a first conductive state. When the pressing body is at the second position, the receiving gap is opened to receive the cable, and the pressing body is disengaged with the switch terminal, to define a second conductive state. A connection state can be known by detecting the first and second conductive states.