Contact Insert Fastening for Quick-Release Connector Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector technologies require a long time to releasably secure a contact insert into a connector housing due to the use of screw connections, which is inefficient for quick and secure attachment.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector design featuring a holding means with a fixing body, spring element, and fixing element that allows for easy and secure attachment of a contact insert to the connector housing, using mechanisms such as expansion rivets or quarter-turn fasteners, enabling quick and reliable engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw connections are used to secure the contact insert in the connector housing, then the connection is firm and reliable, but the installation time is long and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring element that provides dynamic elastic force to maintain continuous contact pressure between the fixing element and the contact insert, ensuring reliable connection while enabling rapid engagement and disengagement without screw threads
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the time-consuming screw threading operation from the fastening process, replacing it with a simple insertion motion where the fixing body is pushed into the fixing element, achieving quick installation while maintaining firm connection through the spring-loaded mechanism
2Productivity
If a holding means with spring element and fixing element is used, then the installation speed is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the fixing body: it serves as both the insertion tool and the fastening element, while the spring element simultaneously provides both the driving force for engagement and the retaining force for secure connection, simplifying the overall mechanism despite increased functionality
3Ease of operation
If detachable fastening is implemented, then the connector can be easily assembled and disassembled, but the connection stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element creates a dynamic elastic connection that maintains constant contact pressure, providing stable retention during normal operation while allowing for controlled release when disassembly is intended, thus balancing stability with ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded fixing element automatically maintains its engagement with the contact insert through elastic recovery, providing self-retaining stability without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex fastening procedures
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 rapid and secure fastening of the contact insert within the connector housing, reducing installation time and ensuring a tight, detachable connection.
Implementation Method 1
The holding means has at least one fixing body, a spring element and a fixing element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical connector comprising a connector housing with a cable entry opening, a connection opening, at least one retaining element, and at least one contact insert. The contact insert accommodates at least one contact element and/or at least one connector module and/or half a connector module. The contact insert has at least one mounting frame, which has at least one second retaining element, the second of which corresponds to the first. The corresponding retaining elements, the first and the second, are detachably connected by means of a retaining device, the mounting frame being held in the connector housing by means of the retaining device. According to the invention, the retaining device comprises at least one fixing element, a spring element, and a fixing element.