Connector Socket Axial Spring Mounting for Vibration Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector sockets for outdoor applications, such as agricultural machines, face issues with secure sealing against dirt and moisture due to vibration and movement, leading to potential damage and failure of sealing systems, and they are not suitable for large cable cross-sections due to space constraints and rigidity.

Innovation Solution

A connector socket is designed with a rotatably mounted locking device and a socket housing that is axially movable via a compression spring, eliminating the need for a housing and ensuring a secure, space-saving, and resiliently mounted connection with IP-67 or IP-68 sealing, using a coding groove system to prevent rotation and featuring a semi-cylindrical cover plate for protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid connection is used to lock the connector pairs, then the locking strength is improved, but the sealing reliability deteriorates due to vibration transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking strengthVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector socket is designed with a resilient mounting system using compression springs that allow dynamic movement and absorption of vibrations. The socket can move axially within the mounting device, converting the rigid connection into a dynamic one that adapts to vibrations while maintaining sealing contact through the resilient support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a box with housing wall is used to mount the device socket, then the protection against environment is improved, but the space for large cable cross-sections deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against environmentVSAvoidspace for cable cross-sections
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the sealing function from the housing wall interface and relocates it to sealing elements integrated directly into the connector socket. This eliminates the need for a separate protective box with housing walls, freeing up space while maintaining environmental protection through the socket's own sealing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a seal is arranged between the connector and housing wall with resilient support, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the vulnerability to dirt penetration deteriorates due to movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiddirt penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces sealing elements as intermediary components between the connector socket and the external environment. These sealing elements are integrated into the socket structure itself, creating a reliable barrier against dirt and moisture without requiring contact with the housing wall, thus eliminating the dirt penetration issue while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides a securely sealed, easy-to-assemble connector socket that withstands mechanical vibrations and loads, allowing for large cable cross-sections without additional space requirements and ensuring reliable operation in harsh environments.

Implementation Method 1

a bushing (3) mounted so that it can move axially by means of a compression spring (30) against the mounting device (40)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2806509B1Connector socket with a spring bearing
Publication Date: 2017.06.07 AMPHENOL TUCHEL ELECTRONICS
  • EP2806509B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2806509B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a connector socket for outdoor applications with a mounting device, in particular for attachment to agricultural machinery, comprising a socket housing with a rotatably mounted protective cap for protecting the receiving space for a mating plug, wherein a locking lever for locking the protective cap is rotatably mounted on the socket housing and wherein the socket is axially movable relative to the mounting device by means of a compression spring.