Threaded Collar Connector Assembly for Secure Outlet Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Backpack vacuum cleaners often experience interruptions and excessive wear due to accidental disconnection of the power cord during use, and existing power cord restraint devices lack flexibility to work with standard outlets and plugs.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly featuring an inner collar with jaws and an outer collar that engage through threading, allowing the outer collar to rotate and compress the electrical outlet when connected, providing a secure locking mechanism compatible with standard plugs and outlets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a power cord restraint device is used to prevent accidental disconnection, then the reliability of the power cord connection is improved, but the device complexity increases and compatibility with standard outlets is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the restraint function and connection function into a single integrated connector assembly. The collar with jaws merges the restraining mechanism with the electrical plug structure, eliminating the need for separate restraint devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is designed to work with standard electrical outlets while providing restraint functionality. The universal design allows compatibility with conventional outlets through the adapter configuration, enabling the same device to serve both standard connection and secure restraint purposes across different applications
2Reliability
If a proprietary plug and extension cord system is used, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the adaptability to standard outlets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the collar with jaws fits over the electrical plug, and the entire assembly can be inserted into standard outlets through the adapter configuration. This nested design allows multiple functions to be contained within a compact form that maintains compatibility with standard electrical infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter component serves as an intermediary between the proprietary connector assembly and standard electrical outlets. This mediator enables the specialized restraint mechanism to interface with conventional outlets, bridging the gap between enhanced reliability features and universal compatibility requirements
3Ease of operation
If the power cord is left unrestrained, then the ease of operation is improved, but the wear on the power cord increases and service life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint mechanism is pre-configured in the connector assembly, ready to engage automatically when the plug is inserted into the outlet. This preliminary preparation of the restraint function ensures that protection against excessive wear is activated without requiring additional user actions, maintaining ease of operation while extending power cord service life
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 ensures a secure connection between the power cord and outlet, reducing interruptions and wear, while allowing compatibility with standard electrical infrastructure, thus enhancing the reliability and usability of backpack vacuum cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
Rotation of the outer collar relative to the inner collar causes the at least one outer collar thread to rotatably engage the inner collar threads
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of jaws to deflect inward such that the plurality of jaws engages and compresses the electrical outlet
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of jaws engages and compresses the electrical outlet when the electrical outlet is connected to the electrical plug
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes an electrical plug connectable to an electrical outlet, an inner collar, and an outer collar disposed radially outward from the inner collar. The inner collar includes a plurality of jaws disposed circumferentially about the electrical plug. Each jaw of the plurality of jaws includes threads defined along an outer surface of each jaw. The outer collar includes at least one thread defined along an inner surface of the outer collar. Rotation of the outer collar relative to the inner collar causes the at least one outer collar thread to rotatably engage the inner collar threads and the plurality of jaws to deflect inward such that the plurality of jaws engages and compresses the electrical outlet when the electrical outlet is connected to the electrical plug.