Elastically Deflectable Position Securing Element for Plug Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact elements in plug connectors often damage seals or housings during insertion or removal, leading to costly replacements and inefficiencies in maintenance or repair.
Innovation Solution
A contact element with an elastically deflectable position securing element that engages with a detent opening, featuring a convex curve and a free end within the body, allowing for non-destructive passage through seals and housings in both insertion directions without damaging them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional contact element with a detent tongue is used to secure the contact element in a plug connector, then the contact element is held firmly in position, but the detent tongue has sharp edges that can damage the seal or housing during insertion or removal
Solution Approach 1:
The position securing element is designed with a convex curve instead of sharp edges, creating a rounded, edge-free surface that prevents damage to the seal or housing during insertion and removal operations while maintaining the securing function
2Stability of the object's composition
If the position securing element is made rigid to ensure stable engagement with the detent opening, then the contact element is securely held, but it cannot deflect elastically to avoid damage during passage through the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The position securing element is designed as an elastically deflectable component that can dynamically adjust during insertion and removal operations. The convex curve geometry enables controlled elastic deformation, allowing the element to flex during passage through the seal while maintaining stable engagement when engaged with the detent opening
3Stability of the object's composition
If the position securing element projects far beyond the body to ensure engagement with the detent opening, then securing is improved, but the protruding end can damage the seal during passage
Solution Approach 1:
The convex curve design of the position securing element eliminates sharp edges and creates a smooth, rounded profile that prevents damage to the seal during passage. The curved geometry allows the element to navigate through the seal without concentrating stress at sharp points, even when projecting beyond the body
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
Ensures secure holding within the plug connector while preventing damage to seals and housings during insertion and removal, enabling repeated use without causing harm, and providing a compact and stable structure.
Implementation Method 1
The position securing element can be deflected elastically and so can move away from the seal or the housing when the contact element is passed through a seal or a housing so as to prevent damage to these elements or to itself
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a contact element (1), made of an electrically conductive contact material (3). In order to provide a contact element (1) which can be passed repeatedly and non-destructively through a housing or a seal of a plug connector in and/or opposite to a direction of insertion (E), a contact element (1) is provided comprising a body (5) extending in the direction of insertion (E) and a position securing element (11) disposed on an upper side (7) of the body (5), projecting upwards out of an opening (9) in the body (5) transversely to the direction of insertion (E), and that can be deflected elastically, the position securing element (11) having a slope surface (13) that is inclined against the direction of insertion (E), adjoining which, without any kinks or edges, are a curved section (15) and an end section (17), and the end section (17) ending with a free end (19) within the cubature of the body (5).