Contact Carrier Tool-Free Assembly via Elastic Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact carriers for high-current contacts require complex assembly and disassembly processes, often necessitating tools and multiple unlocking mechanisms, making them cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A contact carrier design featuring a hollow cylindrical base body with a plug-in and connection side, incorporating a holding element with a guide area and latching mechanism that allows for easy insertion and secure fixation of the contact element, enabling quick assembly and disassembly without tools through an elastic connection and rotatable latching area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-part contact carrier with multiple locking mechanisms is used to secure the contact element, then the contact element is firmly fixed in the base body, but the assembly and disassembly processes become complex and require tools
Solution Approach 1:
The contact carrier is divided into a base body and a retaining element that can be separately assembled and disassembled. The retaining element is inserted into the base body through a receptacle, creating a modular structure that simplifies both assembly and disassembly operations while maintaining secure fixation of the contact element.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element incorporates an elastic connection with a rotatable latching area that automatically engages with the base body upon insertion. This self-latching mechanism eliminates the need for tools or complex manual operations to secure the contact element, while the elastic nature allows for tool-free disassembly by simply rotating the latching area.
2Reliability
If multiple locking mechanisms are provided on the contact cap and base, then the contact element is securely held, but several mechanisms must be released simultaneously for disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking functions are merged into a single rotatable latching area on the retaining element. This unified mechanism engages with corresponding features on the base body to provide secure fixation, but can be disengaged by a single rotational motion, eliminating the need to operate multiple separate locking mechanisms simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism transitions from a static, multi-point locking system to a dynamic, rotatable single-point latching system. The elastic connection allows the latching area to rotate and engage/disengage from the base body, providing secure holding during operation while enabling simple release when needed.
3Reliability
If a threaded connection is used for the contact cap on the base body, then the connection is secure, but assembly requires screwing and special tools
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded mechanical connection system is replaced with an elastic, rotatable latching mechanism. The retaining element uses its elastic properties to engage with the base body through a simple insertion and rotation motion, eliminating the need for threading operations and special assembly tools while maintaining connection security.
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
Facilitates simple, tool-free assembly and disassembly of contact elements, ensuring secure seating and easy removal, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing assembly time.
Implementation Method 1
The locking area and the guide area are connected by an elastic joint. This elastic joint allows the sections to rotate relative to each other by a limited angle. Thanks to this elastic joint, the guide section and the locking section automatically return to their original position relative to each other.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a contact carrier (1) for receiving an electrical contact element (50). Here, the contact element (50) can be inserted into the contact carrier (1) and removed again in a particularly simple manner. By way of a slight elastic deformation of a holding element (3), a detent engagement action of detent means (9) of the holding element (3) with further detent means (10) of a main body (2) of the contact carrier (1) can be released. By way of the invention, particularly simple mounting and dismounting of a contact element (50) in the contact carrier (1) is realized. The contact carrier (1) is in this case constructed such that the holding element (3) and the contact element (50) can be inserted into the main body (2) from an attachment side (6) which is situated opposite a plug-in side (5).