Hermaphroditic Electrical Connector Pole Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing genderless electrical connector devices are limited in the number of poles they can provide without increasing the number of contact elements, which restricts their functionality and compatibility with older systems.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a second and third set of electrical contact elements symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the first set, allowing for additional poles when connected with identical devices, while maintaining backward compatibility with devices having only the first set of contact elements, by electrically connecting corresponding elements from the second and third sets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional contact elements are added to increase the number of poles, then the functionality and number of poles increase, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements are divided into two functional groups: a first group for basic connectivity and a second group for additional functionality. This segmentation allows the connector to provide more poles through the second group while keeping the first group simple and compatible with existing systems, thereby increasing versatility without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector device is designed with universal compatibility by incorporating both a first group of contact elements for basic connectivity (compatible with existing systems) and a second group for extended functionality. This multi-functionality approach allows the same connector structure to serve both legacy and enhanced applications, increasing the number of usable poles without requiring entirely different connector designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of contact elements is increased to provide more poles, then more functionalities are enabled, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements are segmented into two groups with different functions. The first group maintains simple, cost-effective manufacturing compatible with existing production methods, while the second group adds functionality through a structured extension that leverages the same basic connector architecture, thereby enabling more functionalities without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity or cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The second group of contact elements is arranged in a configuration that extends along the longitudinal axis of the connector, utilizing the available space in this dimension. This dimensional arrangement allows additional contact elements to be incorporated without significantly increasing the footprint or requiring entirely new manufacturing processes, thus enabling more functionalities at reasonable manufacturing cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more contact elements are added to increase poles, then additional functionalities are achieved, but the connector size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the connector, utilizing the length dimension rather than expanding the width or height. This dimensional strategy allows the second group of contact elements to be accommodated within the existing connector footprint, enabling additional functionalities without significantly increasing the overall connector size.
Solution Approach 2:
The second group of contact elements is integrated into the connector structure in a nested arrangement, where additional contacts are positioned within the space defined by the first group and the connector housing. This nesting approach allows more contact elements to be packed into the same volume, achieving additional functionalities without proportionally increasing connector size.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
An electrical connector device (1), which extends along a longitudinal axis (X) and having an interface part (2) comprising a first set (3) of electrical contact elements (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) arranged along a first line (L1), which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (X). The connector device (1) comprises mechanical engagement elements (17, 18, 19) being shaped such that the electrical connector device (1) can be electrically and mechanically connected with an identical connector device (1) when they are aligned along the longitudinal axis (X) and one of them rotated 180 degrees about a transversal axis (Y) parallel with the first line (L1). The interface part (2) comprises a second set (4) of electrical contact elements (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) and a third set (5) of electrical contact elements (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d). The second and third sets (4, 5) are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the first line (L1) in a first plane (P1) through the first line (L1), such that for each contact element (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) of the second set (4) there is a corresponding contact element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the third set (5), which is arranged with equal distance to the first line (L1). Each contact element (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) of the second (4) set is electrically connected to its corresponding contact element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the third set (5).