Hygienic Connector Housing Structure for Cleanable Automation Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automation components in medical and food industries face hygiene issues due to dirt collection around data, power, and signal connectors when screw-in plug connectors are used.
Innovation Solution
The automation component features a flat upper part with integrated threads for connectors, a hollow cylinder contact surface, and a hygienic seal, designed to prevent impurity adhesion and facilitate easy liquid drainage, ensuring a gap-free transition and enhanced cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw-in plug connectors are used in conventional automation components, then electrical connection is achieved, but dirt collection edges are created around the connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the upper part with inclined planes instead of flat surfaces, creating a ridge structure that prevents dirt accumulation. The circular contact surface with hollow cylinder geometry also eliminates sharp edges where dirt could collect, directly addressing the hygiene requirement while maintaining electrical connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional aspect by creating a three-dimensional ridge structure along the center line of the upper part. This ridge, formed by two inclined planes meeting at an angle, adds a spatial dimension that actively directs water flow and prevents dirt accumulation around the connectors, transforming a two-dimensional flat surface problem into a three-dimensional solution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional connector designs are used, then standardization is maintained, but hygiene requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only the specific regions around the connectors with inclined planes and circular contact surfaces, while maintaining the standard screw-in plug connector interfaces. This localized modification ensures hygiene requirements are met at critical areas without compromising overall connector standardization and compatibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If flat housing surfaces are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but impurity accumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flat surfaces with inclined planes that converge to form a ridge structure. This geometric change, while slightly more complex than a completely flat surface, still maintains relative manufacturing simplicity through standard molding or machining processes while effectively preventing impurity accumulation through the created slope and drainage path.
Data Source
AI summary
An automation component for industrial automation includes first and second surfaces seamlessly arranged in one piece on a center line of first and second fastening openings, wherein the center line is formed as a ridge such that the first and second surfaces each respectively extend as inclined planes to first and second eaves edges starting from the center line, connectors in the first and second surfaces are each structured such that a thread for a connector is integrated in the surfaces or in the upper part and a circular contact surface, where the circular contact surface is arranged in the inclined plane such that an axis of symmetry extends vertically such that the contact surface for a screw-in plug connector to be screwed in for the connector becomes formed as a flat annular contact surface upon which the screw-in plug connector is sealable with a hygienic seal.