Elastic Press-on Elements for Electric Plug Housing Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric plugs with large tolerances lead to overpressing during mounting, resulting in high plugging forces and difficulty in disassembly, and can cause service life reduction due to vibrations and movement between the inner and outer housings.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of elastic press-on elements that can be deflected transversely to the assembly direction to create a press-fit connection between the inner and outer housings, reducing plugging forces and absorbing vibrations, thereby enhancing the service life and ease of maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If large tolerances are used in the electric plug design, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the service life is reduced due to vibrations and movements between the inner and outer housings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing elastic press-on elements that can deflect transversely to the assembly direction. These elements change the mechanical parameters of the connection, allowing the inner housing to be securely fixed in the outer housing while accommodating tolerance variations. The elastic deflection capability enables the connection to maintain reliability despite manufacturing tolerances, preventing vibrations and movements that would otherwise reduce service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If press-on elements are made elastic and deflectable, then the ease of operation is improved for mounting and dismounting, but the strength of the connection may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the press-on elements elastic and deflectable rather than rigid. The press-on elements can dynamically adapt to tolerance variations by deflecting transversely to the assembly direction during mounting, then maintain a stable press-fit connection. This dynamic capability allows easy mounting and dismounting operations while preserving sufficient connection strength through the elastic recovery force of the press-on elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the press-on elements with elastic deflection capability that absorbs mounting forces before they can cause damage. The elastic elements act as a cushion during the mounting process, absorbing the impact and stress of insertion, and then maintain a controlled press-fit connection. This beforehand cushioning protects the connection from excessive forces while ensuring adequate strength for service use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the press-on elements are designed to absorb vibrations, then the service life is extended, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the press-on elements to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same elastic press-on elements that create the press-fit connection for easy mounting also serve as vibration absorbers to extend service life. By making the connection elements multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate vibration damping components, thereby extending service life without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 press-fit connection ensures a play-free fixing of the inner housing within the outer housing, reduces wear, and allows for easy disassembly with minimal force, while the elastic press-on elements absorb vibrations and prevent tilting, thus extending the service life and improving the stability of the electric plug.

Implementation Method 1

at least one press-on element, which can be deflected elastically transversely to the assembly direction in the direction of the inner housing, for producing a press-fit connection between the inner housing and the outer housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Due to the elasticity of the press-on elements, vibrations occurring can be absorbed dynamically by the press-on elements and the movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing can be restricted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3537547B1Inner housing and outer housing of an electric plug
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3537547B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3537547B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3537547B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric plug (1) having an outer housing (2) and an inner housing (4) which can be plugged into the outer housing (2) along an assembly direction (M), having at least one press-on element (8), which can be deflected elastically transversely to the assembly direction (M), and a press-fit connection which is produced by the at least one press-on element (8) between the inner housing (4) and the outer housing (2). By way of the elastically deflectable press-on element (8), a high plugging force owing to an overpressing can be prevented, as the press-on element (8) is deflected transversely to the assembly direction (M). Furthermore, by way of the press-on element (8) a press-fit connection is created between the inner housing and the outer housing, as a result of which a gap (34) is closed between inner housing (4) and outer housing (2) and the inner housing (4) is fixed in the outer housing (2). By way of the press-on element (8), vibrations occurring can be absorbed and a play-free compact electric plug (1) can be created.