Angled Connector Assembly With Multi-Orientation Contact Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Angled connectors with non-rotation-symmetrical contact arrangements face challenges in changing contact agent orientation, leading to potential overloading and damage due to transferred shear forces and torques.

Innovation Solution

The angled connector features a modular design with a recording base and shape features that allow the insertion section to align in multiple orientations, forming a form closure that prevents rotary movement and facilitates easy contact agent orientation changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the connector is designed with a fixed contact element orientation, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability of contact orientation changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcontact orientation adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connector design allows dynamic reconfiguration of contact element orientation through modular components that can be adjusted between different angular positions (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°), enabling the system to transition from a fixed to a flexible orientation state as needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If modular design is used to enable contact orientation changes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact orientation adaptabilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into modular segments (contact element module, intermediate module, cable receptacle module) that can be independently configured and assembled, allowing orientation changes without redesigning the entire connector structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized connection mechanisms that can accommodate multiple contact orientations, reducing the need for different connector variants for different applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If contact element orientation is changed without proper alignment features, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to shear forces and torques

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact orientation adaptabilityVSAvoidconnector connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Complementary asymmetric form features (protrusions and recesses) are incorporated into the modular components to provide non-rotational alignment, ensuring that components can only be assembled in the correct orientation, thereby preventing misalignment and protecting against shear forces and torques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Reliability

If alignment features are added to prevent rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric form features are pre-configured on the modular components during manufacturing, so that during assembly the correct orientation is automatically indicated and achieved without requiring additional alignment operations or complex manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4542791A1Angled connector and method for assembling an angled connector
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 YAMAICHI ELECTRONICS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4542791A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4542791A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4542791A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Angled connector (1), in particular an angled push-pull connector, comprising: an insertion section (10) for inserting the connector in the direction of an insertion direction (E) into a complementary connector receptacle, and an angled connector section (30) with a receiving base (46) for connecting the angled connector section (30) to the insertion section (10), wherein the angled connector section (30) has a cable access opening (32) for inserting a cable (2) into the connector (1) along a cable routing direction (K), wherein the cable routing direction (K) is different from the insertion direction (E), the insertion section (10) is configured with a connector-side electrical contacting means (60) which is designed to connect the cable (2) to a complementary connector receptacle-side electrical contacting means.to be held in a predetermined contacting means orientation, the insertion section (10) has a first form feature (12) and the receiving base (46) has a second form feature (42) that is complementary to the first form feature, the first and second form features (12, 42) are designed to align the insertion section (10) with the receiving base (46) in a plurality of orientations, the contacting means orientation is different in each plurality of orientations, and in each plurality of orientations the first form feature (12) and the second form feature (42) form a positive fit that prevents rotation of the insertion section (10) about an orientation axis (AA) of the receiving base (46) that is substantially parallel to the insertion direction (E).