Measurement Sensor Cable Socket Locking for Secure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement sensors, such as Rogowski coils, face issues with the secure retention of the cable end within the housing, leading to potential inadvertent withdrawal during use.
Innovation Solution
A dual locking mechanism comprising resilient fingers and a locking member that limits deformation of the fingers, ensuring the cable end is securely retained within the socket, featuring interlocking protrusions and an elastic member to enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If only resilient fingers are used to retain the cable end, then the cable end can be easily inserted and retained, but the cable end may be inadvertently withdrawn during use
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is divided into two independent components: resilient fingers that provide initial retention and a locking member that provides secure locking. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one function while working together to solve both ease of operation and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient fingers perform preliminary retention of the cable end before the locking member is engaged. This preliminary action holds the cable in position during insertion, and then the locking member is activated to provide final secure locking, preventing inadvertent withdrawal
2Reliability
If a locking member is added to limit deformation of resilient fingers, then retention reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to be actuated by the user through simple movement, and the resilient fingers automatically engage and disengage based on the locking member's position. The system serves itself by using the user's locking action to automatically control the deformation state of the resilient fingers, minimizing the need for additional complex control mechanisms
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 dual locking mechanism significantly reduces the likelihood of inadvertent cable end withdrawal, providing a robust and reliable connection for measuring electrical current.
Implementation Method 1
The housing comprises at least one resilient finger, and a socket that is defined, at least in part, by the at least one resilient finger. The free second end of the cable is receivable by the socket such that the at least one resilient finger engages the free second end of the cable to releasably retain the free second end of the cable within the socket.
Implementation Method 2
The locking member is moveable between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the locking member limits deformation of the at least one resilient finger. The locking member may be disposed about the at least one resilient finger. The locking member may limit radial deformation of the at least one resilient finger.
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement sensor 2 includes a housing 4, and a cable 6 having a first end 8 that extends from the housing 4 and a free second end 10. The housing 4 includes at least one resilient finger 16, and a socket 18 that is defined, at least in part, by the at least one resilient finger 16. The socket 18 defines a central axis 20. The free second end 10 of the cable 6 is receivable by the socket 18 such that the at least one resilient finger 16 engages the free second end of the cable 6 to releasably retain the free second end 10 of the cable 6 within the socket 18. The measurement sensor 2 further includes a locking member 12 that is mounted to the housing 4. The locking member 12 is moveable between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the locking member 12 limits deformation of the at least one resilient finger 16.