Connector Housing with Sacrificial Breaking Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors that are mechanically resiliently mounted in housings often fail to maintain a secure seal under high mechanical forces, leading to potential damage and hidden contamination issues, especially in applications like towing trailers where connectors are subjected to strong accelerations.
Innovation Solution
The connector is designed with holding means featuring a predetermined breaking point, allowing it to sever and move back to its original position using a compression spring, ensuring the connector remains functional and indicating any damaging events visually by breaking at the predetermined point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the connector is mechanically resiliently mounted in the housing to allow movement under force, then the connector can withstand mechanical loads without damage, but the seal becomes inactive or gaps are created allowing dirt and contaminants to enter the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means is segmented into distinct functional zones: a fastening section for securing to the housing flange, a predetermined breaking point for controlled failure, and a holding section for maintaining connector position. This segmentation allows the connector to either remain securely held or break in a controlled manner without compromising the seal.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the connector is permanently connected to the housing wall, then the connector is securely fixed, but the connector cannot move back and forth under tension or compression forces
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic controlled-failure system. The holding means with its predetermined breaking point enables the connector to adapt its fixation state: remaining securely fixed under normal conditions but allowing controlled release when subjected to excessive forces, thus providing both stability and adaptability.
3Reliability
If the connector is held firmly against the housing flange, then the seal remains effective, but the connector cannot be released or moved when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means is pre-configured with a predetermined breaking point that will fail under excessive force. This preliminary action ensures that when abnormal forces occur, the holding means automatically releases the connector without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining both seal effectiveness during normal operation and ease of release when needed.
4Strength
If the holding means is designed to be strong and durable, then the connector remains securely attached, but the holding means may cause damage to the connector under excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means is designed as a sacrificial component with a predetermined breaking point, making it intentionally weaker than both the connector and the housing flange. This disposable element protects the more valuable connector by failing first under excessive force, absorbing the mechanical stress that would otherwise damage the connector.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the connector is axially resiliently mounted to allow movement, then the connector can spring back to original position, but it is not apparent whether dirt is adhering to the sealing surface
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is provided with a visual indicator feature that changes appearance when contaminated. This allows immediate visual detection of dirt or contaminants on the sealing surface, enabling users to identify when the seal has failed due to contamination and requires maintenance, thus solving the detection difficulty while maintaining axial movement capability.
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 ensures the connector remains undamaged and functional while providing immediate visual indication of mechanical stress, allowing for easy maintenance and replacement of the holding means, thus preventing contamination and ensuring the seal's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the connector housing is also mounted axially on a compression spring so that it can be moved back and forth, the connector housing is moved back to its original position by the restoring force of the compression spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a connector with a connector housing which is axially movable back and forth against a rear side of a housing flange by means of a compression spring, wherein retaining means are provided by means of which the connector housing is attached to the housing flange at the front and wherein the retaining means have a fastening section and a holding section and a predetermined breaking point is arranged between the fastening section and the holding section, so that axial movement in the direction of the restoring force of the compression spring is only possible if the retaining means have been cut at the predetermined breaking point.