Detent Spring Buckling Prevention in Contact Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact elements made from thin sheet metal are prone to deformation under tensile forces, leading to unintentional removal from receiving devices due to buckling of the detent spring.
Innovation Solution
The securing section of the contact housing is bent in the direction of the detent spring, enhancing mechanical stability and preventing buckling by offsetting the torsion, which can be achieved through bending or profiling without additional processing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the contact element is made from the thinnest possible sheet metal to save material or reduce installation space, then material usage and installation space are reduced, but the detent spring deforms under large tensile forces and the contact element can be pulled out of the receiving device
Solution Approach 1:
The securing section of the contact housing is bent in the direction of the detent spring, creating a curved structural form that provides mechanical stability. This curvature prevents the detent spring from buckling under tensile forces while maintaining the thin sheet metal construction, thus resolving the contradiction between material reduction and reliability.
2Volume of moving object
If the contact element is made from the thinnest possible sheet metal to reduce installation space, then installation space is reduced, but the detent spring deforms and the contact element can be unintentionally removed from the receiving device
Solution Approach 1:
The bent securing section creates a curved profile that enhances structural rigidity without increasing the overall volume or installation space requirements. This curvature provides resistance against buckling and secures the detent spring in position, preventing unintentional removal while maintaining compact dimensions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the securing section is bent in the direction of the detent spring to prevent buckling, then mechanical stability is improved, but the contact housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The contact housing is divided into distinct functional sections: a securing section that is bent in the direction of the detent spring, and other sections that maintain the basic housing structure. This segmentation allows the bent portion to provide enhanced stability without requiring the entire housing structure to be complex, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and structural simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The contact element (1) has a detent spring (10) running in a longitudinal direction (L) of a contact housing (2) and held at the contact housing. A free end (12) of the detent spring is moved into a resting direction running transverse to the longitudinal direction. The detent spring has a retaining projection protruding into an opening (18) of the contact housing. A protection section (20a) of the contact housing overlaps the retaining projection in a projection in the rest direction. The protection section runs section wise to the detent spring.