Electrical Plug-In Connector Locking With Preserved Creepage Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges in maintaining a sufficient creepage distance between live contact elements, which can lead to electrical short circuits due to the need for elastic locking elements that require slitting the insulator, compromising insulation strength.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring an inner conductor contact element and an insulator element with a blocking means on the contact element and a counter-blocking means on the insulator, utilizing an elastic cross-sectional profile that changes shape to maintain insulation without slitting, ensuring a longer creepage distance and enhanced insulation strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a slit is made in the insulator element to form an elastic locking element, then the locking function is improved, but the creepage distance is reduced and insulation strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator element is segmented into a rigid portion and an elastic portion, allowing the elastic portion to deform for locking while the rigid portion maintains insulation. This segmentation enables the locking function without compromising the overall structural integrity and creepage distance of the insulator.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulator element has different mechanical properties in different regions: the locking region is designed to be elastic for deformation, while the majority of the insulator body remains rigid to maintain insulation strength. This local differentiation allows the elastic locking element to function without reducing the overall creepage distance.
2Reliability
If the insulator element is made completely rigid, then insulation strength is maintained, but the elastic locking function cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator is divided into rigid and elastic portions, where the rigid portion maintains insulation strength and the elastic portion provides locking functionality through deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulator has locally differentiated properties: a rigid main body for insulation and a localized elastic region for locking, allowing both functions to coexist without compromising either.
3Ease of operation
If the creepage distance is reduced to accommodate locking elements, then the locking function is improved, but the probability of electrical short circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator is segmented so that the elastic locking portion does not reduce the overall creepage distance between contact elements. The rigid portions maintain adequate insulation spacing while the elastic portion deforms locally for locking without affecting the electrical clearance.
4Ease of operation
If a traditional elastic locking element is used, then the locking function is achieved, but the insulator structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator is segmented into rigid and elastic portions, where the elastic portion is integrated as a specific region rather than a separate component. This integration maintains the insulator as a single-piece structure with preserved structural integrity while enabling elastic locking functionality.
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
The design effectively increases the creepage distance and reduces the probability of electrical short circuits by providing a holistic elastic solution that maintains insulation strength without compromising the connector's structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the insulator element has, at least in one axial section in which the counter-blocking means is formed, a shape-elastic cross-sectional profile such that a distance between two opposite regions of the inner surface can be changed in a transition between the blocked state and the non-blocked state
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2F
Figure 3A~3F
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrical connector and an electrical plug connection. An electrical connector (1) has an inner conductor contact element (3) and an insulator element (6) which at least partially encloses the inner conductor contact element (3). A locking means (10) is formed on an outer surface (9) of the inner conductor contact element (3), and a counter-locking means (14) is formed on an inner surface (13) of the insulator element (6). The locking means (10) and the counter-locking means (14) abut axially against each other in a locked state and are axially movable relative to each other in an unlocked state.The insulator element (6) has, at least in an axial section in which the counter-locking means (14) is formed, a shape-elastic cross-sectional profile such that the distance between two opposing regions of the inner surface (13) can be varied in a transition between the locked and unlocked states. The elastic cross-sectional profile has a constant inner circumference.