Connecting Arrangement for Sealed and Non-Sealed Plug Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection arrangements between electrical or electronic devices and plug connection units either require environmentally sealed connections to prevent moisture and dirt ingress or allow leakage, but not both, due to design limitations that affect accurate positioning of electrical connections.

Innovation Solution

A connection arrangement where the plug housing can accommodate either a sealing element or a modified positioning device/bridging element, ensuring precise positioning of electrical connections, allowing for both sealed and non-sealed connections using the same device and connector housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing element is used to ensure sealed connection, then sealing performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing element with the positioning device into a single integrated component. The positioning device includes positioning elements that simultaneously provide mechanical positioning and sealing functions, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device is designed to perform multiple functions: it positions the electrical connections axially and laterally while simultaneously providing sealing through integrated sealing elements. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall connection arrangement.

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

2Device complexity

If sealing elements are omitted for non-sealed connections, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating sealing elements into the positioning device, the patent ensures that positioning accuracy is maintained through the mechanical structure of the positioning elements themselves. The positioning device's geometry and material properties provide precise positioning regardless of whether sealing is required, eliminating the need for separate sealing components that would add complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate sealing elements are used for sealed connections, then sealing performance is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing elements are integrated into the positioning device as a single component, which can be manufactured using standard injection molding or similar processes. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for sealing elements and simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring consistent sealing performance through precise integration of the sealing function into the positioning structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3069417B1Connecting arrangement with an electric or electronic device and a plug connection unit and use of the connecting arrangement
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3069417B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3069417B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3069417B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a connecting arrangement (100) between an electric or electronic device (10) and a plug connection unit (20). Said device (10) has first electric connections (1) which are aligned parallel to each other by means of a first positioning device (13) within a connection area (12) of the device (10), and second electric connections (2) which interact with the first electric connections (1), are aligned to the first electric connections (1) by means of a second positioning device (32; 38) in a plug housing (18) of the plug connection units (20).