Modular Electrical Connector with Sliding Rails
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connectors are typically fixed to connect only to specific configurations of electrical components, lacking flexibility to adapt to different configurations, limiting their use with various components.
Innovation Solution
The development of an adjustable electrical connector system using a pair of endcaps, elongate rails, and modular connector modules that can be rearranged to accommodate different configurations by attaching and detaching the rails from the endcaps, allowing for the creation of multiple connector configurations by swapping or repositioning modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a connector is designed with a fixed configuration of connecting members, then the connector provides structural simplicity and manufacturing ease, but it lacks flexibility to connect to electrical components with different configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate modular components: endcaps, rails, and connector modules. Each connector module contains a specific number of connecting members and can be independently selected and arranged. This segmentation allows the connector to be customized for different configurations by simply changing which modules are used, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The endcaps and rails serve as universal components that can accommodate multiple types of connector modules. The endcaps provide standardized interfaces for attaching rails, and the rails provide standardized interfaces for mounting connector modules. This universal design allows a single endcap-rail assembly to support various configurations of connector modules, achieving multi-functionality without increasing overall structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-configuration connectors are provided to connect different electrical components, then connector compatibility is achieved, but device complexity and the number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single endcap-rail assembly can accommodate multiple different configurations of connector modules. By keeping the endcaps and rails as universal components and only changing the connector modules, the same physical connector structure can be reused across multiple applications with different electrical component configurations, reducing the total number of connectors needed.
Solution Approach 2:
When reconfiguring the connector for a different application, the connector modules can be removed (discarded from the current configuration) and replaced with different modules (recovered for new configuration). The endcaps and rails are retained and reused, allowing efficient transition between different connector configurations without discarding the entire connector assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connector modules are made movable and reconfigurable, then adaptability to different electrical components is improved, but the ease of operation and assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connector into modular components with standardized interfaces, the reconfiguration process becomes a simple matter of attaching and detaching pre-fabricated modules rather than manipulating individual connecting members. This segmentation maintains ease of operation while enabling adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector modules are designed to nest onto the rails in a straightforward manner, with each module containing its connecting members in a compact housing that attaches to the rail. This nested structure simplifies the assembly process, as modules can be easily slid onto or off of the rails without complex manipulation, maintaining ease of operation while enabling reconfigurability.
Data Source
AI summary
Re-configurable electrical connector including a pair of endcaps, a pair of elongate rails, each removably attached at one end to one of the endcaps, and connector modules arranged between the endcaps and including one or more male or female connecting members adapted to electrically connect at a first end to one electrical component or part thereof and at a second, opposite end to another electrical component or part thereof. The connector modules are individual modules in the sense that they are separated from one another. When the rails are detached from the endcaps, each connector module can be moved relative to the rails, i.e., slid off of the end of the rails, to enable different configurations of connector modules to be positioned between the endcaps.