Two-Part Chassis Connector for Transverse Load Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chassis connectors face issues with mechanical stress, environmental exposure, misconnection, and limited design flexibility due to strict global installation dimensions, leading to increased failure frequency and wear.
Innovation Solution
A two-part chassis connector design with a first part secured to the rear side of a mounting plate and a second part to the front, featuring a supporting skirt region and mechanical locking elements, allowing for decoupling of transverse loading forces and enabling precise mating with cable connectors, while adapting to various mounting plate thicknesses and maintaining compatibility with standard dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece chassis connector design is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the connector cannot effectively decouple transverse loading forces leading to increased mechanical stress and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis connector is divided into two separate parts: a first part that receives the cable connector and a second part that is fastened to the mounting plate. This segmentation allows the first part to be optimized for signal transmission while the second part handles mechanical mounting and force absorption, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and mechanical stress resistance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard global installation dimensions are strictly followed, then compatibility with existing mounting infrastructure is maintained, but design flexibility for adapting to different mounting plate thicknesses is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The second part of the chassis connector is designed with adaptable features that allow it to accommodate different mounting plate thicknesses while maintaining standard external dimensions. This dynamic design enables the connector to adjust to varying installation conditions without compromising the standardized interface, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing precision.
3Device complexity
If the chassis connector is designed without a supporting skirt region, then the structure is simpler, but transverse loading forces cannot be decoupled leading to increased wear and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The connector structure is segmented into functional regions, including a supporting skirt region in the second part that provides structural support and decouples transverse loading forces from the signal transmission contacts. This segmentation adds necessary complexity to improve reliability without overwhelming the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting skirt region acts as an intermediary structural element between the mounting plate and the cable connector interface. It mediates the transmission of mechanical forces, protecting the delicate signal contacts from transverse loading while maintaining the overall connector integrity.
4Reliability
If mechanical locking elements are added to prevent misconnection, then connection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical locking elements are incorporated into the connector design with asymmetric features that provide reliable anti-misconnection protection. The locking mechanism uses asymmetric geometries that naturally guide proper alignment while preventing incorrect connections, achieving high reliability with minimal added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A chassis connector is configured to precisely mate a mechanically lockable plug connection with a cable connector matched to the chassis connector as a counterpart, wherein signal transmission is enabled by the closed plug connection. According to a first aspect, the chassis connector is configured with a first part and a second part in at least two parts, both parts are provided for direct fastening to the mounting plate. According to a further aspect, taken on its own or in combination, the connector includes a cover, the cover and a flange provided for mounting on the mounting plate are designed to match each other such that a labyrinth seal and a contact seal are formed when the cover is closed. The labyrinth seal provides a first sealing stage with a throttling effect. The contact seal, including an elastomeric sealing component, provides a second sealing stage following the first sealing stage.