Modular Connector Insert Tolerance Compensation via Sliding Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors face challenges in tolerance compensation between modular contact inserts and holding frames, leading to potential misalignment and suboptimal connections.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating slide elements with adjustable projection elements on the housing body, guided by guide pins and spring elements, allows for variable positioning of contact inserts relative to the holding frame, enabling tolerance compensation and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If modular contact inserts are rigidly fixed to the holding frame, then assembly simplicity is improved, but tolerance compensation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The projection element is made adjustable relative to the housing body through a slide mechanism, transforming a static rigid connection into a dynamic adjustable one. This allows the projection element to be positioned at different locations along the guide groove to compensate for tolerances in the holding frame slots, while still providing a secure fixed connection when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide element acts as an intermediary component between the housing body and the projection element. It provides the adjustment mechanism that enables tolerance compensation, mediating between the rigid housing body and the need for positional flexibility in the projection element to achieve proper alignment with the holding frame slots.
2Device complexity
If projection elements are rigidly formed on the housing body, then structural simplicity is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The projection element's position is made adjustable through the slide mechanism along the guide groove, enabling precise positioning to compensate for tolerances in the holding frame slots. This dynamic adjustment capability significantly improves positioning accuracy while adding only moderate structural complexity through the slide and guide groove components.
3Loss of time
If contact inserts use fixed positioning, then assembly time is reduced, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The projection element is pre-adjusted to the appropriate position along the guide groove before assembly, allowing it to automatically compensate for known tolerances. This preliminary adjustment ensures proper alignment and secure engagement with the holding frame slots, improving connection reliability without significantly increasing assembly time since the adjustment is made once during setup rather than during each assembly operation.
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 accurate positioning and secure attachment of contact inserts, enhancing the flexibility and reliability of connector assemblies by compensating for manufacturing and assembly tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element (45) acting on the carriage element (43) in a resilient manner
Implementation Method 2
The carriage element (43) is slidably guided on a guide groove (440, 442) within an associated guide track (44) of the housing body (42)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly of a plug connector part (1) comprising: - a holding frame (3), the frame having walls (31, 32) and a frame opening (30) for receiving modular contact inserts (4) at insertion points (300) arranged next to each other along a width direction (B), which frame opening (30) is delimited by the frame walls (31, 32); and - at least one modular contact insert (4), which can be inserted into the frame opening (30) at at least one insertion point (300) and which has a housing body (42) having at least one protrusion element (420, 421) arranged thereon for engaging in an associated cut-out (310, 320) on one of the frame walls (31, 32) of the holding frame (3). The at least one modular contact insert (4) has at least one slide element (43), which is slidably guided on the housing body (42) and on which the at least one protrusion element (420, 421) is arranged. In this way, an assembly of a plug connector part is provided, which assembly enables tolerance compensation between contact inserts and the holding frame.