Electric Coupler Vibration Damping via Elastic Ring Element

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connections in vehicles, particularly those near high-frequency vibrating units like turbochargers, experience increased wear and conductivity issues due to vibrations, which prior solutions like elastic seals and minimal play designs do not adequately address.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connecting line featuring a plug housing with a tubular insertion area and a ring element that surrounds the electrical line, combined with an elastic sealing element and a cap, which reduces vibration propagation by eliminating play and maintaining a mechanical connection through inclined guide surfaces and a flexible ring element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If elastic sealing elements and minimal clearance designs are used, then moisture protection is improved, but vibration-induced wear and contact problems worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidcontact element reliability under vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable and the contact element. This damping element absorbs vibrations before they reach the contact element, preventing vibration-induced wear and contact problems while maintaining the minimal clearance design for moisture protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping element is positioned in advance between the cable and contact element to cushion against upcoming vibrations. This prior cushioning prevents direct transmission of high-frequency vibrations from the cable to the contact element, ensuring reliable electrical connection under vibrational conditions.

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If clamping ribs are added to prevent movement, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector stabilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A damping element in the form of a flexible ring or collar is used instead of rigid clamping ribs. This flexible element provides the necessary stabilization and vibration damping while maintaining a simpler structure that is easier to manufacture and assemble compared to complex clamping rib systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If minimal clearance is used between contact elements and cable, then assembly precision is improved, but vibration-induced wear worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly clearance precisionVSAvoidcontact element wear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element serves as a mediator between the cable and contact element, allowing minimal clearance for precise assembly while preventing direct vibration transmission. This intermediary component absorbs vibrational energy, preventing wear on the contact elements despite the tight clearance design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This design significantly reduces wear on contact elements, enhances the reliability and service life of electrical connections, and can be produced inexpensively using standard facilities, effectively addressing the challenges of high-frequency vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic sealing element, wherein the sealing element is elastically deformed between the cap and the ring element and thereby generates the necessary force to press the ring element towards the contact element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3496211B1Electric coupler
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP3496211B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3496211B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3496211B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Electrical connecting cable (10) comprising a connector housing (100), an electrical cable (20), a ring element (40), an elastic sealing element (60), and a cap (80), wherein the connector housing (100) has a tubular insertion area (102) for inserting the electrical cable (20) into the connector housing (100), wherein the insertion area (102) is aligned along a longitudinal axis (X) of the electrical cable (20) and has a constriction (104), the cap (80) is attached to the connector housing (100) by retaining means, the cap (80) has an opening (82) for passing the electrical cable (20), wherein the ring element (40) at least partially surrounds the electrical cable and the sealing element (60) surrounds the electrical cable, wherein the ring element (40) and the sealing element (60) are arranged between the constriction (104) and the cap (80).