Zip-locker Receiver Pawl Ratchet Cable Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamp devices fail to securely manage cables in congested environments, leading to accidental disconnection due to lack of effective retention mechanisms, especially for connectors like USB and HDMI that do not have built-in cable restraints.
Innovation Solution
A zip-locker system comprising a receiver with an aperture and a pawl that complements and cooperates with ratchet teeth of the zip-locker to prevent removal, along with hinged and tab-lock configurations to securely fasten and align interconnects with ports, ensuring secure attachment and preventing accidental disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamp devices are used to manage cables, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of cable connection is poor leading to accidental disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp device is divided into separate functional components: a body portion with an aperture for receiving the connector, and a independent retention mechanism featuring a pawl that engages with ratchet teeth on the cable. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism incorporates movable elements including a spring-loaded pawl that can dynamically engage and disengage from the ratchet teeth. The spring provides continuous force to maintain engagement, while the pawl can be actuated to release the cable when needed, creating a dynamic yet reliable connection system.
2Reliability
If simple clamp devices without retention mechanisms are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability of preventing accidental disconnection is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded pawl automatically engages with the ratchet teeth upon insertion of the cable, providing self-service retention without requiring manual intervention. The mechanism uses the insertion motion itself to compress the spring and trigger engagement, eliminating the need for separate fastening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pawl acts as an intermediary element between the cable and the clamp body, mediating the connection by engaging with the ratchet teeth on the cable while being actuated by the spring mechanism in the clamp body. This intermediary provides a reliable connection while maintaining simplicity of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional clamps are used, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to align interconnects with ports in congested environments is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp device incorporates a specifically designed aperture with particular geometric characteristics that provide alignment guidance for the connector. The aperture shape and positioning are optimized locally to guide the connector into proper alignment with the port, while the rest of the device maintains a simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus comprising a zip-locker receiver. The zip-locker receiver is configured to ratchetably receive a zip-locker and comprises an aperture and a pawl disposed within the aperture configured to complement and cooperate with the ratchet teeth of the zip-locker to prevent removal of the zip-locker from the aperture of the zip-locker receiver at times the pawl of the zip-locker receiver is engaged with the ratchet teeth of the zip-locker.