Connector Socket Retention Protrusion for Durable Plug Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connectors using plug and socket connections suffer from short durability due to stress concentration, limiting material choices to non-brittle materials and restricting design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A connector socket design featuring a retention protrusion within the internal cavity that interferes with a locking protrusion of the plug to secure it in place, eliminating the need for a press-fit connection and allowing the use of brittle materials, thereby enhancing durability and material variety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a press-fit connection is used to join the plug and socket together, then the connector can be assembled, but stress concentration occurs that may lead to material failure and short durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection mechanism is segmented into two distinct parts: a press-fit portion for initial assembly and a retention protrusion for securing. This segmentation allows the press-fit portion to handle assembly while the retention protrusion prevents stress concentration during use, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retention protrusion acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the plug and socket after press-fit assembly. It provides additional mechanical interlocking that prevents material failure under stress, thereby improving durability without complicating the initial assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If brittle materials are used for the connector, then material variety is increased, but stress concentration causes material failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial selection varietyVSAvoidresistance to stress concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector design segments the load-bearing functions: the press-fit portion accommodates brittle materials with controlled stress, while the retention protrusion provides mechanical interlocking that prevents catastrophic failure. This allows brittle materials to be used without sacrificing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retention protrusion provides beforehand cushioning by pre-establishing a mechanical interlock that prevents stress concentration before it can cause material failure. This protective mechanism allows the use of brittle materials that would otherwise be susceptible to stress-induced failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a retention protrusion is added to the connector socket, then durability is improved by preventing extraction, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-extraction capabilityVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention protrusion is merged with the press-fit portion to form an integrated connection mechanism. This combining approach provides both press-fit assembly and retention functions within a unified structure, improving durability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260018829A1Connector socket, connector, and device

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A connector socket, a connector, and a device are provided. The connector socket includes a housing that includes an internal cavity, wherein the internal cavity is configured to mate with a connector plug, and wherein the connector plug is configured to be inserted into the internal cavity to form an electrical connection with the connector socket, and a retention protrusion, configured to interfere with the connector plug to retain the connector plug in the internal cavity.