jdahl

Hello there!

The project is to drive inside a contained space, with an inflatable plug, give the plug signal to inflate, give the connector a signal to disconnect and drive back leaving the plug inside .

I just need the connector that will breakaway on a signal.
Any of you heard about something like that?

Thanks

Johs

rjvh

i realy don't know what you mean

please be a bit more specific

Robert-Jan

jdahl

Drive a video inspection tool, the connector has to be IP65 or higher because of the wet conditions, and the plug is to seal a hole, put the plug in fill it with air.
I need to leave the plug there off course. So I need some kind of solution to disconnect the connector between the plug and the tool.

rjvh

this kind of requirements in IP65 is almost work for a robot (i think it is already)

the only way i can imagen to do it is while inflating the plug it will build up so much pressure so it will push the conector out

like a conector with a colar and is puched away by an inflated (ring Baloon) on top of the plug that seals of the hole

Robert-Jan

jdahl

The solution has to be independent not depended on inflation process, but beside that it could have worked. Sorry for not telling that spec, but that way didn’t even cross my mind.

I’m thinking more about a magnetic force holding the male and female together, inflate, shutdown the magnetic field and drive away will break the connectors apart, but that will not give a waterproof solution.... Any ideas?

rjvh

i just work further on your idea as i think it's a realistic one

the point is that if you require IP65 it have to be water tight
with a pressure of 20 cm water colum (imersed in the water)

that maens that the plug will have a doulble set of rubber seals wich will give friction on release of the conector

it you have a permanet magnet with one pole towards the conector in the plug than you only need an electro magnet that while you riding and filling the plug will keep everything together and when you want to release you will reverse the current and while the plug is already inflated in the hole it will not move anymore the conector will be (launched away) if the current is strong enough

this all is posibble to make in the IP 65 Class

Robert-Jan

jdahl

Yes, it might work I`ll have to do some testing now, Thanks for the input!

Johs

jpanhalt

Have you searched on "breakaway electrical connector?" They are used in aerospace applications. For example (Airline Ground Power - Burton Electrical Engineering) when ground power is supplied to aircraft, it can be bad if the airplane taxis away from the gate with the plug still attached. They are also used in rockets...same issue. ITT Cannon is a major manufacturer of them.

My search also yielded several patents that are applicable to industrial applications.

John