Electrical Base Strip Coding Receptacles Between Chambers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical base strips with limited coding options struggle to ensure reliable connections between plugs and connectors, especially in compact designs, where increased chamber size is undesirable due to space constraints on circuit boards and connectors.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates additional coding receptacles between chambers on the base strip, allowing for a higher number of coding options without increasing the base strip's size, using identical coding components that can be securely attached between contact sockets, ensuring correct pairing of connectors and base strips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If coding components are mounted within the chambers, then reliable connection between base strip and connector is achieved, but the number of coding options is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidcoding options
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base strip is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, etc.), each capable of receiving coding components. This segmentation allows multiple independent coding positions, increasing the number of possible coding combinations while maintaining reliable connection through each chamber's dedicated coding component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Coding components are arranged not only within chambers but also in the region between chambers, utilizing the spatial dimension between existing structures. This adds another layer of coding possibilities without increasing the overall footprint of the base strip

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If chambers are enlarged to provide more coding options, then coding versatility increases, but the base strip size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding optionsVSAvoidbase strip area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The coding component receptacles are positioned in the region between chambers rather than enlarging the chambers themselves. This utilizes the inter-chamber space, adding coding versatility without increasing the overall base strip area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the base strip are assigned different functions: chambers contain electrical contacts and their associated coding components, while the region between chambers contains additional coding components. This local differentiation maximizes coding options within the existing footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple coding components are attached to both base strip and connector, then coding reliability improves, but connection becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding reliabilityVSAvoidconnection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coding system is segmented into multiple independent chambers, each with its own coding component. This allows for modular verification of coding compatibility - if one chamber's coding matches, the connection can proceed, reducing the risk of incorrect connections while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coding components act as intermediaries that verify compatibility before allowing connection. The structured arrangement of multiple coding positions provides progressive verification, ensuring reliable coding while guiding correct connection through the matching process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3033809B1Coding for base strips with a plurality of chambers
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3033809B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3033809B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3033809B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical base strip (10), in particular to be fitted to a plug (62), having a plug face (12) which has at least two adjacent chambers (14), each with a plurality of electrical contacts (16), for connection to a corresponding plug connector (40), wherein the base strip (10) has at least one first receptacle (24) for a first coding component (34) in at least one region (22) between two adjacent chambers (14). The invention also relates to a coded base strip (32) with an electrical base strip (10) of this kind and at least one first coding component (34), wherein the first coding component (34) is accommodated in a first receptacle (24) of the electrical base strip (10). The invention further relates to a plug (62) having at least one electrical base strip (10) of this kind.