Deep-Drawn Mating Connector for Simpler Fluid Media Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mating plug connectors for liquid or gaseous media are complex to manufacture, making them costly and difficult to produce.
Innovation Solution
A mating plug connector formed as a sheet metal part, specifically a deep-drawn one-piece component with a sleeve-shaped design and latching mechanism, which includes a cylindrical sealing section and a cross-sectional taper for easy insertion and stability, and a locking slot for secure connection, facilitating simplified manufacturing and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex multi-component design is used for the mating plug connector, then the connection reliability and functionality are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (connector body, sealing elements, latching mechanism, reinforcement structures) into a single integrated formed sheet metal part. This merging eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of individual components while maintaining all necessary functions for reliable connection, directly resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The formed sheet metal part serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, sealing surfaces, latching engagement, and reinforcement. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate parts, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining connection reliability
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are assembled to form the mating plug connector, then the functionality and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing time and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent produces the entire mating plug connector as a single formed sheet metal part in one manufacturing process, eliminating the need for assembling multiple separate components. This directly reduces manufacturing time and assembly complexity while maintaining all necessary functional features for reliable connection
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet metal part is pre-formed with all necessary features (sealing surfaces, latching elements, reinforcement structures) integrated during the forming process itself, rather than requiring subsequent assembly operations. This preliminary creation of all functional elements in a single step significantly reduces manufacturing time
3Ease of manufacture
If a deep-drawn one-piece formed sheet metal part is used, then the ease of manufacture and weight are improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses deep-drawing forming parameters and sheet metal forming techniques to create a complex three-dimensional structure with integrated features. By changing the physical parameters of the forming process (pressure, temperature, tooling geometry), a structurally complex but manufacturing-simple one-piece component is achieved, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A mating plug connector for connecting components for liquid or gaseous media includes a connector body with: an insertion section which serves for insertion into a receiving opening of a plug connector; and a component connection which serves for connection with one of the components. The connector body is configured as a formed sheet metal part.