Electrical Plug-in Connector with Integrated Active Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for multi-wire cables require increased space for signal conditioning devices, leading to inefficiencies in signal transmission due to the placement of these devices in the signal path.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design that incorporates an active electrical device between the cable-side and output-side contact elements, allowing for parallel or series connections and securing the device via material-to-material bonds, enabling signal amplification and processing without increasing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If signal conditioning devices are placed in the signal path, then signal transmission quality is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the signal conditioning device with the electrical connector housing into a single integrated unit. The active electrical device is mounted on a circuit board that is housed within the connector body, eliminating the need for separate external signal conditioning equipment and reducing overall space requirements while maintaining signal transmission quality
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides electrical connection between contacts and simultaneously houses the active signal conditioning device. This multi-functional design allows the connector to both transmit signals and condition them, eliminating the need for separate dedicated signal conditioning components
2Area of stationary object
If active electrical devices are integrated into the connector, then space requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active electrical device is nested within the electrical connector housing. The circuit board carrying the active device is positioned inside the connector body, with the active device essentially 'nested' within the existing connector structure. This nesting approach reduces space requirements while containing the added complexity within a standardized housing
3Adaptability or versatility
If cable-side and output-side contact elements are spaced apart, then active electrical device placement is enabled, but electrical connection path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear arrangement of contacts to a three-dimensional configuration. The cable-side and output-side contact elements are positioned at different spatial locations within the connector housing, allowing the active electrical device to be placed in the intermediate space. This dimensional approach enables device integration while managing connection path length through optimized routing
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector for a multi-wire electrical cable includes two cable-side electrical contact elements including associated terminals to each of which is to be connected a wire of the electrical cable, and two output-side electrical contact elements which are spaced apart from the cable-side electrical contact elements and from each of which projects an electrical connector element via which an electrical connection can be established to a mating connector. An active electrical device is disposed between the cable-side contact elements and the output-side contact elements. The active electrical device is placed on the contact elements, such that the active electrical device is in electrical contact with each of the contact elements, and such that the cable-side contact elements and the output-side contact elements are electrically connected to each other. The output-side contact elements are separated and axially spaced apart from the cable-side contact elements.