Flat Contact Socket Current Distribution via Segmented Extensions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flat contact sockets unevenly distribute current flow, leading to localized heating and potential damage due to electrical resistance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates at least two extensions from separate regions of the socket body to form a common connecting surface, allowing for even current distribution and preventing overheating by routing current to different points, capable of handling currents over 200 amperes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single connecting section is used in known flat contact sockets, then the structure is simple, but the current flow is distributed unevenly causing localized heating and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent distribution uniformityVSAvoidsocket structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting section is divided into at least two separate extensions that extend from different regions of the socket body. These multiple extensions create multiple current flow paths, distributing the current more evenly across the socket structure and preventing localized overheating, while maintaining overall structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If current flow paths are extended to improve distribution, then heating is reduced, but the socket structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalized heatingVSAvoidconnecting section structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple extensions are merged to form a common connecting surface that serves as a single interface for electrical connection. This combining approach distributes current through multiple internal paths while presenting a unified external connection point, reducing localized heating without increasing external structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution ensures better current distribution across the flat contact socket, preventing overheating and potential damage, and can be applied to both angled and straight connections, enhancing the socket's durability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The solution according to the invention makes it possible to direct the flow of current through the flat contact socket via the at least two extensions and thereby distribute it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

temperature increases caused by the electrical resistance lead to damage to the component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3316402B1Flat contact bushing
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3316402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3316402B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a flat contact socket (1) with a connecting section (3) for electrical connection to at least one electrical conductor (107) and with a flat contact receptacle (9) extending in a socket body (7) along a flat contact plane (11), into which a flat contact (63) can be inserted. In order to provide a flat contact socket (1) that is compact, inexpensive to manufacture, and distributes the currents evenly across a received flat contact (63), the invention provides that the flat contact socket (1) has at least two extensions (95a, 95b) extending from at least two spaced-apart regions (97a, 97b) of the socket body (7) and forming a common connecting surface (93) of the connecting section (3).