Spring Lock Interface With Multi-Start Acme Lead Screw
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interface systems for electrical connectors face issues such as high torque requirements, cross-threading, and wear, especially when using helical grooves, which can lead to contamination of sensitive electronic components and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A spring lock design combined with a multi-start Acme lead screw, where lubrication is initially applied and contained within a sealed environment, ensuring consistent low-torque engagement and preventing cross-threading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If helical grooves are used for engagement, then engagement speed is improved, but torque requirement increases and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is divided into two independent parts: a spring lock pin for initial attachment and a lead screw for final engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the spring lock providing quick initial connection and the lead screw providing controlled engagement with low torque requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring lock pin performs preliminary attachment by initially connecting the test adapter to the receiver before the lead screw engagement begins. This preliminary action positions the components correctly and prepares them for the subsequent lead screw engagement, eliminating the need for high torque during the initial connection phase.
2Productivity
If helical grooves are used for engagement, then engagement speed is improved, but cross-threading occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is divided into two independent parts: a spring lock pin for initial attachment and a lead screw for final engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the spring lock providing quick initial connection and the lead screw providing controlled engagement with low torque requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring lock pin performs preliminary attachment by initially connecting the test adapter to the receiver before the lead screw engagement begins. This preliminary action positions the components correctly and prepares them for the subsequent lead screw engagement, eliminating the need for high torque during the initial connection phase.
3Productivity
If helical grooves are used for engagement, then engagement speed is improved, but wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is divided into two independent parts: a spring lock pin for initial attachment and a lead screw for final engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the spring lock providing quick initial connection and the lead screw providing controlled engagement with low torque requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring lock pin is designed as a simple, replaceable component that handles the initial high-wear attachment phase. By sacrificing this simpler component, the more critical lead screw threads are protected from excessive wear, extending the overall system life.
4Force
If lubrication is applied to helical grooves, then torque is reduced, but contamination of electronic components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication function is extracted from the engagement interface and placed entirely within the sealed lead screw housing. The lead screw threads are pre-lubricated during manufacturing, and the sealed housing prevents lubricant from escaping and contaminating electronic components while still providing the torque reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed housing acts as an intermediary barrier between the lubricated lead screw threads and the electronic components. It allows the lubrication to function internally while preventing any harmful effects from reaching the sensitive electronics.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If standard threads are used for engagement, then lubrication is not required, but several turns are needed for full engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The lead screw uses a multi-start Acme thread profile with a 5-degree included angle, which provides a balance between mechanical advantage and engagement speed. The multi-start configuration allows for faster engagement compared to standard single-start threads while still maintaining self-lubricating properties through the Acme thread geometry.
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 provides secure and reliable engagement of electrical connectors with reduced wear and no risk of contamination, eliminating the need for additional lubrication throughout the product's life and preventing cross-threading.
Implementation Method 1
a spring lock pin (940) and locking tabs (950) for initially attaching the test adapter (200) to the receiver (100)
Implementation Method 2
a multi-start Acme lead screw (946) provides a consistent, low torque means of engagement
Implementation Method 3
Although this engager requires the use of lubrication, to be applied initially, the lube is contained in a sealed environment
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An engagement system having a spring lock design to initially attach the two halves of the system together. After which the use of a multi start Acme lead screw provides a, consistent, low torque means of engagement. Although the engager requires the use of lubrication, to be applied initially, the lube is contained in a sealed environment. This eliminates the risk of contamination to electrical components and eliminates the need to apply additional lube during the products life. Because the present invention allows the ACME threads to be "meshed" at all times, it also eliminates the possibly of cross-threading.