Electrical Connector Back Pin Assembly After Box Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical power equipment assembly methods require the mechanical interface of connectors to be chosen before closing the power equipment box, limiting flexibility in connectorization.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector design featuring a back pin extremity that allows assembly after the box is closed, with a power contact and complementary connector that can be electrically connected through a coupling axis passing through a through hole in the box wall, enabling flexible connectorization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the connector is permanently fixed on the power circuit before closing the box, then the mechanical interface can be securely established, but the flexibility in connectorization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in connectorizationVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connector is divided into two separate parts: a first electrical connector permanently fixed to the power circuit inside the box, and a second electrical connector (complementary connector) that is assembled after box closure. This segmentation allows independent assembly of each connector part, enabling flexible connectorization without requiring pre-planning of mechanical interfaces before box closure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first electrical connector is preliminarily prepared by being permanently fixed to the power circuit inside the box before closure, with its contact elements positioned to extend through or near the wall. This preliminary action enables the second connector to be easily assembled afterward by simply mating with the pre-positioned first connector, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the connector is assembled after the box is closed, then the flexibility in design is improved, but the mechanical interface selection must be done differently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidconnector assembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the connector into two separate connectors that are assembled at different stages, the design achieves flexibility while maintaining manufacturing ease. The first connector is manufactured and fixed inside the box, while the second connector is manufactured separately and assembled afterward by simple mating, avoiding complex post-assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wall of the box serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates the connection between the two connectors. The first connector's contact elements extend through or near the wall, and the second connector mates with them from the outside, using the wall as a mediator to enable flexible post-assembly while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If the power contact has a large cross-section for high current, then the current carrying capacity is improved, but the space required inside the box increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent carrying capacityVSAvoidspace inside the box
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection is extended into a third dimension by having contact elements extend through the wall of the box. This allows the power contacts to have large cross-sections for high current capacity while minimizing the space they occupy inside the box, as the connection path extends outward rather than requiring additional internal volume.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2586102B1Electrical connector and electrical equipment comprising the same
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP2586102B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2586102B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2586102B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Electrical connector (1) comprising at least one electrical power contact (9) having a cross-section larger than 8 mm2 and adapted to mate with a complementary connector. The at least one power contact (9) comprises a front end adapted to be electrically connected with a first complementary contact of said complementary connector. The at least one electrical power contact (9) comprises a back pin (11) having a back pin extremity (12) located at the opposite end of the power contact with respect to the front end and adapted to be electrically connected with a second complementary contact of a second connector.