Spring-Loaded Shaft Electrical Connector for Signaling Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connection devices for signaling vehicles are costly, require specific tools, and are sensitive to manufacturing tolerances, making them difficult to assemble and maintain.
Innovation Solution
An improved electrical connection device with a spring and shaft aligned on the same axial axis, integrated within a base with a threaded and conically shaped cylindrical housing, and an annular clamping piece, allowing for secure and efficient connection to existing power supply supports without the need for specific tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central pivot with rubbing terminal is used for electrical connection, then electrical connection is established, but specific tools are required and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive central pivot mechanism with a simple shaft that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The shaft is designed as a simple cylindrical component that fits into the base, eliminating the need for costly precision instruments and specialized tools while maintaining electrical connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the complex central pivot mechanism from the system, retaining only the essential electrical connection function. By taking out the unnecessary rubbing terminal and locking mechanisms, the design achieves electrical connection reliability with a much simpler, cheaper shaft component.
2Ease of operation
If a rubbing terminal is used to contact the external ring, then electrical connection is made, but contact reliability decreases due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the terminal rub against the support walls (outward rubbing motion), the spring pushes the shaft terminal inward toward the center of the base. This inversion of the contact direction ensures that the terminal actively seeks the center position, compensating for manufacturing tolerances in the support and base, thereby improving contact reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded shaft mechanism is self-adjusting and automatically compensates for tolerance variations. The spring continuously pushes the shaft to maintain optimal contact pressure and position, eliminating the need for precise manufacturing tolerances and manual adjustment, thus achieving reliable contact through self-service.
3Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism with multiple terminals is used, then electrical connection is established, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical connection function into two independent simple paths: the shaft connects to the internal terminal and the spring connects to the external ring. This segmentation eliminates the need for a complex integrated locking mechanism with multiple terminals, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining connection stability through the spring's continuous contact pressure.
4Manufacturing precision
If specialized tools are required for assembly, then precise electrical connection is achieved, but productivity decreases and investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simple shaft and spring mechanism can be assembled using basic hand tools or even finger pressure, eliminating the need for expensive specialized assembly tools. This dramatically increases productivity by allowing rapid assembly and disassembly while maintaining connection precision through the spring-loaded design that automatically ensures proper contact.
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 device enables a reliable, simple, and effective electrical connection to existing power supply supports, reducing assembly complexity and costs, while being less dependent on manufacturing tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (19) and a shaft (11), both having one same axial axis as the base (1) and contained within the same base (1), enabled for receiving and transmitting the electric potential difference from the support (2)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an improved electrical connection device, enabled to be linked materially and electrically to an external support that has an electric potential difference, and at the same time enabled to be linked materially and electrically to an external electrically operated device, and therefore for transmitting electric potential between said external support and said external device, which comprises a base that incorporates a spring and a shaft enabled for receiving and transmitting the electric potential difference from the external support and being arranged and enabled on the same base in order to make electrical contact with the support by means of a compressive force on said spring.