Control Device Housing With Spring Element For Contact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices lack protection for contact units during electrical connections, making them vulnerable to foreign objects and mechanical damage, and require complex configurations for prestressing forces, leading to potential damage and increased complexity in cable harness connections.
Innovation Solution
A control device with an add-on element that surrounds the circuit carrier near the contact units, featuring a spring element made of metal for generating contact forces and a sealing element to prevent media ingress, connected via a snap-in mechanism without additional fastening elements, enhancing protection and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If contact units are left exposed for electrical contacting, then electrical connection functionality is achieved, but contact units become vulnerable to foreign objects and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment element is inserted into a receiving structure on the housing unit, creating a nested configuration where the attachment element protects the contact units while remaining integrated with the housing. This resolves the contradiction by providing protection without exposing the contact units.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment element acts as an intermediary component between the housing unit and the external environment, providing a protective barrier that prevents foreign objects from reaching the contact units while still allowing electrical connection functionality.
2Force
If prestressing force functionality is implemented solely in the other electrical component, then contact force is generated, but component design becomes relatively complex
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment element combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical attachment to the housing unit, generates prestressing force through its elastic material properties, and protects the contact units. This merging of functions reduces overall system complexity compared to implementing all functions in separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment element serves multiple purposes simultaneously: structural attachment, force generation through elasticity, and protective shielding. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing design complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If attachment element and housing unit are separate components, then independent optimization is possible, but additional fastening elements are required
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment element integrates the attachment function directly into its structure through a receiving structure that accepts the attachment element. This merging of the attachment mechanism into the housing unit eliminates the need for separate fastening elements while maintaining the benefit of having separate, optimizable components.
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 enhanced protection for contact units against damage and simplifies the assembly process by generating necessary contact forces and preventing media ingress, resulting in a more reliable and efficient electrical connection.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure element (26) is arranged in an attachment element (11), in particular a spring element (27), which is connected to the housing unit (12)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a control device (10), comprising: a housing unit (12), which is composed of a protective mass (20) made of plastic and which directly surrounds a circuit carrier (18) at least in some areas; at least one circuit unit arranged on the circuit carrier (18); and at least one contact unit (22) for establishing electrical contact between the control device (10) and another electrical module (50), wherein the housing unit (12) is free of the protective mass (20) at least in some areas in the region of the contact unit (22). According to the invention, at least one pressing element (26) is connected to the housing unit (12), the at least one pressing element being designed to at least indirectly produce a pressing force (F) on a counter element (6) of the other electrical module (50), which counter element electrically contacts the contact unit (22).