Electronics Housing Universal Connector Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic device housings lack flexibility in adapting mounting locations for printed circuit board connectors, requiring multiple accessories and potentially compromising structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device housing features receiving devices that allow optional attachment of pivotable ejector elements or firmly latched locking elements, enabling flexible configuration of connectors as either ejectable or securely locked, with a single set of accessories, and includes a blind cap element to cover unused spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple accessories are used to provide flexibility in mounting locations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in mounting locationsVSAvoidaccessory complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving device is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate both ejector elements and locking elements through the same mounting interface. The receiving device includes a bearing groove and opening that work with both pivotable ejector elements and firmly latched locking elements, eliminating the need for different mounting mechanisms for different connector types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory system is segmented into modular components: the receiving device mounted on the housing, and interchangeable elements (ejector or locking) that can be independently selected and attached. This segmentation allows the same receiving device to support different functional elements without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If firmly latched locking elements are used, then connector stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector stabilityVSAvoidconnector removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic configurability where the same receiving device can accommodate both static (firmly latched locking elements) and dynamic (pivotable ejector elements) connector mounting options. This allows the connector stability and ease of operation to be adjusted based on specific application requirements rather than being fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If accessories are mounted on thinner side walls, then ease of manufacture is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting location availabilityVSAvoidside wall structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving device is pre-mounted on the housing at locations with sufficient structural support before the thin side wall sections are utilized for connector mounting. This preliminary placement ensures that the mounting structure is established on robust areas of the housing, preventing stress concentration and potential failure in thinner side wall sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2865252B2Electronics device housing
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 WAGO VERW GMBH
  • EP2865252B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2865252B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2865252B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention describes an electronics device housing (1) having two side wall elements (4), which are spaced apart from one another, for forming a housing having a housing interior for accommodating at least one printed circuit board (32), wherein at least one fitting location (10) for conductor connection plug connectors (6) is provided on at least one of the end faces (5a, 5b) in the intermediate space between the side wall elements (4). The electronics device housing (1) has receiving devices (15, 23, 24) in the region of the at least one fitting location (10), said receiving devices being designed to selectively receive - an ejector element (14), which can be pivotably mounted on the electronics device housing (1) by means of the receiving devices (15, 23, 24), for ejecting a conductor connection plug connector (6) from a fitting location (10), or - a locking element (12), which can be fixedly latched to the electronics device housing (1) by means of the receiving devices (15, 23, 24), for locking a conductor connection plug connector (6) at a fitting location (10).