Electrical Plug-in Connector with Embedded Locking Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors in the motor vehicle sector face challenges with mechanical precision, axial space requirements, and longitudinal watertightness due to play in latching connections and capillary gaps, leading to potential damage from water ingress.
Innovation Solution
The connector design features a locking body as an encapsulation body that firmly embeds the contact unit, reducing axial play and capillary gaps by direct encapsulation, and uses a lamellar seal and closed-pore porous elastomer sleeve for enhanced sealing, eliminating the need for separate latching means and reducing installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a two-stage latching connection is used to fix the contact unit in the housing, then the contact unit is securely fixed, but the total play between the pole pin and housing increases and mechanical precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the contact unit and latching body into a single integrated component. The latching means are directly formed on the contact unit, eliminating the separate latching body. This integration reduces the number of interfaces and cumulative play, thereby improving mechanical precision while maintaining secure fixing through the direct latching connection to the housing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If axial sections of the contact unit are used for latching means, then the contact unit is fixed in the latching body, but the connector length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from axial latching means to radial latching means. The latching elements extend radially from the contact unit rather than axially, allowing the latching connection to be formed in a different dimension. This reduces the axial length requirement while maintaining secure fixing, as the radial latching means engage with corresponding features on the housing wall.
3Stability of the object's composition
If separate latching means interfaces are used, then the contact unit can be fixed, but axially extending gaps form that allow water penetration through capillary action
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the latching means with the housing structure itself, with latching elements formed directly on the housing wall. This integration eliminates the interface between separate latching components, removing the axially extending gaps that would create capillary channels. The direct latching connection maintains fixing security while preventing water penetration pathways.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a locking body is used as an adapter between the contact unit and housing, then the contact unit is fixed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separate locking body from the connector structure. The latching functionality is integrated directly into the contact unit and housing, removing the intermediate adapter component. This reduction in parts simplifies the overall structure and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the necessary fixing security through direct latching engagement.
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 improves mechanical precision, reduces axial space requirements, and enhances longitudinal watertightness, preventing water damage and ensuring a secure electrical connection.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the two latching-means interfaces leads to the formation of axially extending gaps, which develop a capillary effect with which penetrating water is passed on in the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
a closed-pore porous elastomer sleeve for enhanced sealing, eliminating the need for separate latching means and reducing installation space
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical connector comprising: - a housing (22) with a front end and a rear end, which are connected to each other via a housing interior (221) open on both sides, the wall of which is equipped with first locking means (222, 223); - a locking element (20) arranged in the housing interior (221), the wall of which is equipped with second locking means (203) which interact with the first locking means (222, 223) in such a way that the locking element (20) is axially fixed in the housing interior (221); and - a contact unit (18) fixed in the locking element (20) and axially passing through it, comprising a rigid pole pin section (16) pointing towards the front end of the housing (22) and a cable (14) electrically and mechanically connected to it and passing through the rear end of the housing (22).The invention is characterized in that the locking element (20) is designed as an overmolding body which firmly embeds the contact unit (18) in the connection area of the cable (14) with the pole pin section (16).