Electrical Connector Force Transmission Unit Friction Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors face challenges in providing high transmission capacity, ensuring safe and secure connections with low risk of inadvertent disconnection, and minimizing friction and wear, particularly in applications involving frequent connection and disconnection cycles.

Innovation Solution

The electrical connector design features a male and female part with conducting pins and slots, incorporating force transmission units to push contact areas against the pins, reducing friction during insertion and ensuring secure contact, along with a non-conducting element and movable conducting elements for improved locking and energy distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional electrical connectors are used, then connection is achieved, but friction and wear increase during frequent connection and disconnection cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection durabilityVSAvoidwear
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The electrically conducting element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during connection and disconnection cycles. This movement reduces friction and wear by enabling the contact element to self-adjust to varying connection conditions, thereby improving connection durability while minimizing material loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The force transmission unit actively adjusts the contact force parameter between the electrically conducting element and the pin during operation. By dynamically changing the contact force, the system optimizes electrical contact quality while reducing excessive friction and wear during frequent connection and disconnection cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If high transmission capacity is provided, then power transfer capability increases, but connector size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacityVSAvoidconnector size
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrically conducting element features a localized contact area that is precisely positioned and dimensioned to concentrate current flow. This local quality optimization allows high transmission capacity through focused contact zones without requiring a proportional increase in overall connector volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The movable electrically conducting element introduces a new degree of freedom in the contact interface, allowing optimization of power transmission in one dimension (contact pressure and area) without directly increasing connector size in other dimensions. The force transmission unit enables independent control of contact parameters separate from overall connector dimensions.

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

3Reliability

If secure connection is ensured, then connection reliability improves, but risk of inadvertent disconnection increases due to higher locking forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidinadvertent disconnection risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The force transmission unit provides active control and feedback on the contact force between the electrically conducting element and the pin. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain optimal connection security while preventing excessive locking forces that could lead to inadvertent disconnection, thereby improving reliability without increasing disconnection risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The movable electrically conducting element automatically adjusts its position and contact pressure in response to connection conditions, providing self-regulating connection security. This self-service capability ensures reliable electrical contact without requiring excessive external locking forces, reducing the risk of inadvertent disconnection while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enhances the connector's ability to transfer high power efficiently while minimizing wear and ensuring secure connections, even during frequent cycles, and allows for energy distribution with reduced active control requirements, optimizing both performance and energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a force transmission unit connected to the electrically conducting element and configured to push the contact area against a surface area on the pin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3513462A1Electrical connector, arrangement and method
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 NORWEGIAN OCEAN SPACE TECH AS

AI summary

An electrical connector having a male part (1) and a female part (2),the male part (1) having at least one electrically conducting pin (3a-c),the female part (2) having at least one slot (4a-c), each slot (4a-c) configured to receive one of the at least one pin (3a-c) and having an electrically conducting element (5), the electrically conducting element (5) having a contact area (7a-c) arranged facing an inside of the slot (4a-c),the female part (2) further comprising a force transmission unit (6a-c) connected to the electrically conducting element (5) and configured to push the contact area (7a-c) against a surface area (8a-c) on the pin (3a-c) when the pin (3a-c) is received in the slot (4a-c).There is also provided a connector arrangement and a method for distributing electric energy.