Modular Plug Connector With Integrated Evaluation Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular connectors require specialized sensors and evaluation electronics for each configuration, making adaptation complex and expensive, and are not universally applicable for monitoring physical variables.

Innovation Solution

A modular connector system with integrated evaluation electronics and a bus system for communication between sensors and modules, allowing universal applicability and easy configuration, featuring a data bus line for connecting multiple modules and sensors, and optional integration of additional interfaces for communication and data storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If specialized sensors and evaluation electronics are integrated into each modular connector configuration, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring precisionVSAvoidelectronics complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal evaluation electronics unit that can monitor multiple physical quantities (temperature, humidity, pressure, etc.) across different modular connector configurations. Instead of requiring specialized sensors for each connector type, the system uses a single multi-functional evaluation unit that communicates with various sensor types through a standardized interface, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple evaluation functions into a single integrated evaluation electronics unit. This unit consolidates the processing of data from temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, and other physical quantity sensors into one centralized component, reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing costs while preserving the ability to accurately monitor all physical quantities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If customized sensors are adapted for each connector configuration, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and adaptability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical variable monitoringVSAvoidadapter complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation electronics unit is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of sensors (temperature, humidity, pressure, etc.) and different modular connector configurations. The standardized communication interface allows the same evaluation unit to be used across various applications without requiring custom adaptation, thereby improving ease of manufacture and adaptability while maintaining measurement precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs a dynamic configuration capability where the evaluation electronics unit can automatically adapt to different sensor types and connector configurations through software or firmware settings. This dynamic adaptability eliminates the need for physical customization of hardware for each configuration, making the system easier to manufacture and more versatile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple specialized evaluation circuits are implemented for different connectors, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidevaluation circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple evaluation circuits into a single integrated evaluation electronics unit that handles all monitoring functions. This unified approach maintains reliability by consolidating evaluation logic into one robust component while reducing device complexity and overall system cost compared to having separate specialized circuits for each connector type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation electronics unit provides universal monitoring capability across all connector types and sensor configurations. By designing this single unit to handle multiple functions and communicate with various sensor types through a standardized interface, the system achieves high reliability without requiring multiple specialized evaluation circuits, thereby reducing complexity and cost.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3127192B1Modular plug connector
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 HARTING ELECTRIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3127192B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3127192B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3127192B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a modular plug connector, comprising a plug connector housing, a retaining frame (7) accommodated therein, and at least one plug connector module (2). The retaining frame (7) is connected to the plug connector housing by means of fasteners (71). The at least one plug connector module (2) is accommodated in a module slot (72) in the retaining frame (7) by means of retaining elements (22). The plug connector modules (2) are equipped with sensors, which are connected to evaluating electronics in the module plug connector. The evaluating electronics are provided for processing and rendering measured values of the sensors in the plug connector modules (2), recognizing the accommodated plug connector modules (2), and managing the configuration of the modular plug connector.