Connector Sealing via Toroidal Spring and Elastomer Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical and electronic connection devices face challenges with alignment issues and sealing problems, leading to potential dust entry and reliability issues due to the complexity of hyperboloid and stem alignment, and inadequate sealing in cylindrical or rectangular pin connectors.

Innovation Solution

A connection device featuring internally hollow main bodies with insulating bushes for both pin and socket connectors, along with sealing rings and plugs made of materials like elastomer and thermoplastic, ensuring precise alignment and effective sealing through annular cavities and toroidal springs, preventing external agent ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If contacts with scored hyperboloid are used to ensure contact with pin stem, then electrical connection is achieved, but alignment difficulty between hyperboloid and stem increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidalignment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection device is divided into separate functional components: the socket connector with contact sockets, the pin connector with contacts, and the insulating bushes. Each component is independently manufactured and assembled, allowing for easier alignment and reduced complexity in the overall assembly process while maintaining reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating bushes act as intermediary elements that facilitate the alignment and connection between the socket connector and pin connector. These bushes provide a precise mounting structure for the contacts and guide the insertion process, thereby reducing alignment difficulty while ensuring reliable electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If pin connector is inserted inside socket connector to perform connection, then electrical connection is achieved, but sealing action becomes problematic allowing dust entry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoiddust entry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs sealing rings made of elastomeric material that flex to create a tight seal between the pin connector and socket connector. These flexible sealing elements conform to the mating surfaces, preventing dust and external agents from entering the connection interface while allowing for proper electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The pin connector is nested inside the socket connector with the sealing ring positioned in an annular cavity. This nested arrangement allows the sealing ring to effectively block the passage between the two connectors, preventing dust entry while maintaining the electrical connection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If cylindrical or rectangular pin connector shape is used, then connection structure is simplified, but sealing action is insufficient preventing external agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector structureVSAvoidexternal agents entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

While maintaining the overall simple cylindrical or rectangular structure of the connectors, the patent introduces localized sealing features in the form of sealing rings positioned in annular cavities. This local addition of sealing quality to specific critical areas provides effective protection against external agents without significantly increasing the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution ensures reliable and long-lasting electrical connections by preventing dust entry and ensuring precise alignment, thus enhancing mechanical and electrical reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing ring made of elastomeric material which is arranged in an annular cavity formed between this second bush and the inner walls of the main body of the socket connector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

a resilient-tensioning toroidal spring which is wound around this pin and which is arranged between this pin and a scored hyperboloid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7946892B2Connection device for electrical or electronic connections

Publication Date: 2011.05.24 HYPERTAC SPA

AI summary

Connection device for electrical or electronic connections. A socket connector with a plurality of contact sockets and a pin connector with a plurality of pin contacts is connected to an electric cable following insertion of the pin connector inside this socket connector. The pin connector has an internally hollow main body which houses a bush inside which these contacts are inserted. The socket connector has an internally hollow main body which houses a second bush and inside which these contact sockets are inserted. The main body of the pin connector is provided with a free section able to engage sealingly inside an annular cavity of this socket connector. A toroidal spring engages grooves in both the socket connector and pin connector to form a snap-type connection therebetween.