Self-Locking Connector Coupling with Ratchet Pawls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-vibration couplings for electrical connectors are costly, complex, and exceed standard dimensions, often failing to prevent loosening due to vibration, which compromises mechanical and electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A self-locking connector coupling with ratchet teeth and pivotable self-locking pawls, biased by spring members, that toggles between engagement positions to prevent loosening in both mating and unmating directions, ensuring the coupling remains secure within standard connector dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded nut or collar is used to mate the plug and receptacle connectors, then the mechanical and electrical connection is established, but the coupling becomes loose or decouples under vibration due to counter rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful counter-rotation vibration into a beneficial self-locking mechanism. The pawl and ratchet teeth are designed so that vibration-induced rotation in either direction causes the pawl to engage the ratchet teeth, transforming the harmful loosening force into a locking force that secures the coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is self-activating and requires no external control. The spring member continuously biases the pawl toward engagement, and any rotational movement (mating or unmating direction) automatically triggers the self-locking action through the pawl-ratchet interaction, making the system self-regulating against vibration.
2Reliability
If prior art couplings are used to prevent loosening, then vibration resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to complex precision molded parts and multiple moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into functional segments: the connector body with ratchet teeth, the inner sleeve with pawl mounting, and the outer sleeve with spring attachment. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, reducing overall complexity while maintaining anti-vibration functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential anti-vibration function from complex prior art designs and implements it through a minimal set of components. By removing unnecessary moving parts and precision molded features, the design achieves vibration resistance through the simple pawl-ratchet-spring mechanism, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If prior art couplings are used to prevent loosening, then vibration resistance is improved, but the coupling exceeds the standard dimensional envelop of typical electrical connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The inner sleeve is nested within the outer sleeve, and the pawl mechanism is integrated within the inner sleeve structure. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall dimensional envelope of the coupling, allowing it to fit within standard electrical connector specifications while maintaining full anti-vibration functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet teeth are arranged circumferentially around the connector body in a radial pattern, utilizing the radial dimension rather than extending axially. This dimensional arrangement allows the locking mechanism to function effectively without increasing the length of the connector, maintaining compliance with standard dimensional envelopes.
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
The solution effectively prevents loosening and separation of electrical connector components under vibration, maintaining a secure connection while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, and fitting within standard dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
At least one spring member is attached to an inner surface of the outer sleeve that is configured to bias the at least one self-locking pawl
Implementation Method 2
at least one self-locking pawl is pivotably coupled to the inner sleeve and is configured to toggle between first and second positions in engagement with the ratchet teeth of said connector body
Data Source
AI summary
A connector coupling that has a body, an inner sleeve receiving the body, at least one self-locking pawl pivotably coupled to the inner sleeve that is configured to toggle between first and second positions in engagement with ratchet teeth of the body, and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve. The inner and outer sleeves are rotatable together in opposite mating and unmating directions. At least one spring member is attached to the outer sleeve and is configured to bias the pawl. When the pawl is in the first position engaging the ratchet teeth, the inner and outer sleeves are rotatable together in the mating direction only and prevented from rotating in the unmating direction and when the pawl is in the second position engaging the ratchet teeth, the inner and outer sleeves are rotatable together in the unmating direction only and prevented from rotating in the mating direction.