Connector Removal Switch for Safe Electronic Device Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with connector parts lack a reliable mechanism for functional removal, often requiring manual disconnection and reconnection of electrical conductors, which is inefficient and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a pull-actuation unit with a shift-actuating element coupled to a switch, where the switch is actuated to ensure safe removal of the connector part by transitioning the electronic device into a state where it is out of order or without significant electrical voltages, using a nose on the pull tab to actuate the switch and latching elements to prevent accidental removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a connector part is made removable from the base part, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of accidental disconnection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connector removalVSAvoidconnector connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The switch is actuated in advance before the connector part is removed, transitioning the electronic device into a state where it is out of order or without significant electrical voltages. This preliminary action ensures that the connector can be safely removed without compromising functionality or safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A switch serves as an intermediary mechanism between the connector part and the base part. The switch release element couples the pull-actuating unit to the switch, creating a controlled removal process where the switch mediates the transition from connected to disconnected state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual disconnection of electrical conductors is required, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming reconnection processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor connection precisionVSAvoidreplacement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector part is segmented from the base part, allowing the connector to be removed as a single unit without disconnecting individual electrical conductors. This segmentation enables the connector part to be replaced as one component, significantly improving replacement efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector part is extracted from the base part as a complete assembly. The pull-actuating unit enables the connector part to be pulled off the base part without requiring manual disconnection of individual conductors, thus maintaining precision while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a pull-actuating unit is added to the connector part, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector removal convenienceVSAvoidconnector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pull-actuating unit with pull-tab enables the connector part to be removed by its own structure without requiring external tools or complex mechanisms. The pull-tab directly engages with the switch release element, allowing the connector to service its own removal function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The pull-actuating unit merges the removal function with the existing connector structure. The pull-tab is integrated into the connector part, and the switch release element couples it to the switch, combining multiple functions into a unified structure that minimizes additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the switch is actuated before connector removal, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional actuation steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional safety during removalVSAvoidremoval procedure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The switch is actuated in advance through the switch release element when the pull-actuating unit is engaged. This preliminary action transitions the electronic device into a safe state before the connector part is fully removed, ensuring functional safety while integrating the action into the removal process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The switch release element acts as an intermediary that couples the pull-actuating unit to the switch. This intermediary mechanism ensures that actuating the pull-actuating unit automatically triggers the switch, maintaining reliability while keeping the operation straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3061155B1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 WAGO VERW GMBH
  • EP3061155B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3061155B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3061155B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronic device (1), comprising a base part (40) formed by an insulating-material housing (24), a circuit board (12) in the insulating-material housing (24), which circuit board bears at least one electronic, electrical, and/or electromechanical component, and an insertion connector part (11, 29), which has at least one conductor connection contact for connecting an electrical conductor and which has an insertion contact connection for establishing electrically conductive contact between the at least one conductor connection contact and the base part (40) in the operating state when the insertion connector part (11, 29) is attached to the base part (40). The insertion connector part (11, 29) and the base part (40) have support elements (16, 26) for supporting the insertion connector part (11, 29) on the base part (40), which support elements interact with each other. The insertion connector part (11, 29) has a puling actuation unit having a pulling tab (30) for removing the insertion connector part (11, 29) from the base part (40), which pulling actuation unit is supported on the insertion connector part (11, 29) in such a way that the pulling actuation unit can be moved in relation to the insertion connector part (11, 29). The pulling actuation unit has a switching triggering element (10, 32) that can be coupled to a switch (13). The switching triggering element (10, 32) is designed in such a way that the switch (13) is actuated by the switching triggering element (10, 32) in order to move the pulling tab (30) or in the event of a movement of the pulling tab (30) from the operating state in order to remove the insertion connector part (11, 29) from the base part (40).