Floating Connector Assembly for Multi-Axis Movement Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector arrangements for electrical devices, particularly in vehicles, face challenges in achieving a technically simple and cost-effective floating mounting that allows for movement compensation along multiple degrees of freedom while maintaining a defined spatial starting position, especially in applications where mechanical stress and vibrations are prevalent.
Innovation Solution
A connector arrangement featuring an electrical connector with a housing component and elastic elements that support movement along translational degrees of freedom, utilizing a combination of bearing recesses and elevations to guide and limit mobility, allowing for compensating movements while ensuring a defined initial position through elastic restoring forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a connector is rigidly mounted to the battery housing, then mechanical stability is improved, but mechanical stress and damage risk increase due to movement transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is mounted on elastic elements (springs) that allow dynamic movement compensation. The elastic elements enable the connector to move with the battery while maintaining connection integrity, transforming the rigid static mounting into a dynamic flexible mounting that absorbs movement forces.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic elements are introduced as intermediary components between the battery housing and the connector. These intermediaries absorb and compensate for movement forces, preventing direct transmission of mechanical stress from the moving battery to the connector.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple elastic elements are used to achieve floating mounting and movement compensation, then movement compensation capability is improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide floating mounting, enable movement compensation in multiple degrees of freedom, and apply restoring forces to maintain connector positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting function and movement compensation function are merged into a single elastic element system. The same elastic elements that provide the floating mounting also compensate for movements, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and movement compensation mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connector is designed to float on elastic elements, then movement compensation is improved, but defined spatial positioning in unplugged state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic elements provide continuous feedback forces (restoring forces) that automatically return the connector to its defined spatial position after any displacement. This feedback mechanism ensures that the connector maintains precise positioning while still allowing for movement compensation during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic restoring forces act as counterforces to any displacement forces acting on the connector. When the connector moves from its defined position, the elastic elements generate opposing forces that push it back, effectively counterbalancing any positional deviations and maintaining precision.
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 solution effectively reduces mechanical stress and facilitates easy assembly by enabling a robust, cost-effective floating attachment that compensates for movements along multiple degrees of freedom, ensuring reliable connection and reduced mechanical loads during operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic element (6) that connects the connector (2) directly or indirectly to the housing component (5)
Implementation Method 2
the at least one elastic element (6) is arranged between the connector (2) and the housing component (5) such that a primary elastic working path of the elastic element (6) extends substantially along the first translational degree of freedom (x)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a connector arrangement (1) comprising an electrical connector (2) that can be electrically and mechanically connected to a corresponding mating connector (3) along a first translational degree of freedom (x). The connector arrangement (1) also comprises a housing component (5) and at least one elastic element (6) that connects the connector (2) directly or indirectly to the housing component (5). The elastic element (6) allows movement of the connector (2) relative to the housing component (5) along the first translational degree of freedom (x) and/or along a second translational degree of freedom (y) and/or along a third translational degree of freedom (z).According to the invention, the connector arrangement has at least one floating bearing arrangement (17) for limiting the mobility of the connector (2) along at least one of the translational degrees of freedom (x, y, z), which includes a bearing recess (18) and a bearing projection (19) that can be received in the bearing recess (18).