Flat Electrical Contact Retention Structure for Adjustable Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face issues with retaining elements that can fall out and lack adjustable play, leading to potential disconnection and instability in electrical contacts.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates retaining elements with a predetermined distance from the positioning sections of electrical connecting elements, using oversized and harder materials to secure them in T- or L-shaped grooves, allowing for adjustable play and secure fixation through direct or transverse insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retaining elements are positioned close to the electrical connecting element, then the connecting element is securely held, but the retaining element may fall out during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions retaining elements at a predetermined distance from the electrical connecting element before insertion occurs. This preliminary positioning prevents the retaining elements from falling out during the insertion process, as they are already secured in their final positions within the grooves of the first conductive element
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces grooves as intermediary structures in the first conductive element that receive and secure the retaining elements. These grooves act as mediators between the retaining elements and the electrical connecting element, providing a stable intermediate position that prevents dislodgment during operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If retaining elements are positioned at a predetermined distance, then play is adjustable, but the connection may become less secure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of play by positioning retaining elements at predetermined distances that can be optimized for different applications. The grooves provide a flexible framework that allows the retaining elements to be positioned at various distances, enabling adjustment of electrical play while maintaining secure connection through the groove structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameter of retaining elements by specifying they be positioned at a predetermined distance from the electrical connecting element. This parameter change allows optimization of both play adjustability and connection security, as the distance can be designed to provide appropriate clearance while the groove structure maintains reliability
3Reliability
If multiple retaining elements are used, then connection stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the retaining structure by using multiple retaining elements positioned at different locations (front and rear) within grooves. This segmentation provides enhanced connection stability by distributing retention forces across multiple points, while each individual retaining element remains relatively simple in structure
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric contact has a first conductive element (110), an electric connection element (40) for contacting the first element (110), and a holding element (50) for holding the connection element (40) on the first element (110), in which a recess (20) is provided. At least one holding element (50) is provided which has a greater height than the height of the holding groove (22, 23) in the recess (20). According to the invention, the at least one holding element (50) is positioned at or within a specified distance in front of the frontmost positioning section (42) of the connection element (40) in one of the holding grooves (22, 23), and if the recess is a T-shaped cutout, at least one holding element (50) is analogously positioned behind the rearmost positioning section (43) of the connection element (40) in the counter insertion direction (56).