Modular Contact Housing for Variable Element Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing housings for contact elements, such as those in electric vehicle charging systems, require separate designs for different contact element arrangements, leading to increased design and manufacturing costs due to varying standards and spacings.
Innovation Solution
A housing assembly composed of two partial housings that can be assembled to accommodate different contact element spacings, featuring conductor receptacles and passage openings that form a common cavity, allowing for universal use across varying contact element positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate housings are designed for different contact element standards, then each housing can accommodate specific contact elements, but design and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple contact element standards (e.g., different charging plug standards) through a single design. The housing includes adjustable contact element receptacles and configurable internal components that can be positioned to match different spacing and arrangement requirements, eliminating the need for separate housing designs for each standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into modular components including separate receptacles for different contact elements, adjustable positioning mechanisms, and configurable internal structures. This segmentation allows individual components to be adjusted or reconfigured to accommodate different contact element standards while maintaining a single overall housing design.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed housing designs are used for specific contact element spacings, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow it to adapt to different contact element spacings and configurations. Components such as movable receptacles, adjustable positioning mechanisms, and configurable internal structures enable the housing to be customized for different applications without requiring completely different housing designs.
3Ease of operation
If contact elements are exposed without housing, then access is easier, but protection against touching and short circuits is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing serves as a protective shell that encloses the contact elements while providing controlled access points. The housing structure includes openings or access mechanisms that allow necessary operations (such as connector insertion/removal) while maintaining protection against unauthorized touching, moisture, and contaminants.
Data Source
AI summary
A housing includes a first partial housing and a second partial housing which complement each other in an assembled state to form the housing. The first partial housing has a first conductor receptacle that receives a first electrical conductor and a first connection assembly for connecting the first electrical conductor to a first contact element, and is provided with a passage opening for a second contact element. The second partial housing has a second conductor receptacle that receives a second electrical conductor and a second connection assembly for connecting the second electrical conductor to the second contact element. The second partial housing is configured to abut against the first partial housing in the region of the passage opening. In the assembled state, the second conductor receptacle forms a common cavity with the passage opening.