Swivel Connector Ring Lock to Prevent Accidental Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivel connectors are prone to accidental disconnection due to the design of the spring-loaded push button, which can be triggered inadvertently, and lack structural strength and controlled swing angles.
Innovation Solution
A swivel connector design featuring a ring lock with pivot bars and positioning flanges that securely locks and unlocks by rotating, preventing accidental release, with a snap-locked configuration and detents to maintain the locked or unlocked position, allowing only controlled rotation and vertical movement while preventing lateral movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring-loaded push button is used to lock the male and female parts together, then the connector can be easily locked and unlocked, but the connector is prone to accidental disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
A ring lock mechanism serves as an intermediary component between the male and female parts. This ring lock includes a pivot bar that can be rotated to engage with or disengage from the male part, providing a more secure locking mechanism than a simple push button while still maintaining ease of operation through rotational motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring lock mechanism transitions from a static push button design to a dynamic rotational system. The pivot bar can rotate between locked and unlocked positions, and the design incorporates a spring element that provides dynamic tension to maintain the locked position while allowing controlled release when intentionally rotated.
2Strength
If the push button has a long, thin extension to function as a spring, then the two parts can be secured together, but the flexible shape creates risk of inadvertent release
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is segmented into a compact coil spring integrated within the ring lock structure rather than a long, thin extension. This segmentation allows the spring to provide necessary securing force while being contained within a compact form that cannot inadvertently deflect or release.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring design parameters are changed from a long, thin extension to a compact coil spring with controlled wire diameter and coil density. This parameter change maintains the necessary elastic force while eliminating the flexibility issue that caused inadvertent releases in the previous design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the male part can swing freely in the same direction as the push button activation, then rotation is allowed, but accidental opening becomes possible
Solution Approach 1:
The ring lock mechanism employs asymmetric design where the pivot bar has a specific engagement geometry that allows rotation in one direction while preventing accidental release. The male part features an asymmetric recess that receives the pivot bar, allowing controlled rotational movement but requiring deliberate force to disengage the locking position.
4Reliability
If the ring lock is designed with pivot bars for secure locking, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the ring lock mechanism: the ring lock body provides the structural framework, the integrated coil spring provides the locking force, the pivot bar provides the engagement and rotation capability, and the detent mechanism provides positional stability. This merging reduces the total number of separate components while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A swivel connector has a female part and a male part that are connected to each other so as to swivel. The female part has a main body with an interior cavity and an open face, and a strap connector. The male part has a plug portion and a strap connector. A ring lock locks the male portion to the female portion and is formed by two side walls connected by two pivot bars, the side walls of the ring lock being rotatably connected to the female part. The male part is locked to the female part by inserting the plug portion into the interior cavity, and rotating the ring lock into a locked position where the open face is blocked by one of the pivot bars. The male part is released from the female part by rotating the ring lock until the open face is not blocked by the pivot bar.