Modular Plug Connector With Identical Segmented Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connectors require individual housings for different numbers of poles, making them inflexible and inefficient for adapting to varying numbers of conductors to be connected and short-circuited.
Innovation Solution
A modular plug connector design where both the plug and coupling parts are assembled from identical modules, allowing for easy adaptation to two-pole or multi-pole connections, with secure interlocking mechanisms to ensure short-circuit contacts are closed before mechanical guidance is lost, using spring and mating contacts for reliable connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual housings are used for different numbers of poles, then the connector can accommodate specific conductor configurations, but the device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is divided into multiple identical module housings that can be assembled in different quantities (two or more) to create connectors for different numbers of poles. Each module housing contains identical contact elements and short-circuit contacts, allowing flexible configuration without requiring different housing designs for different pole counts.
Solution Approach 2:
A single universal module housing design serves multiple functions by being reusable across different connector configurations. The same module housing can be used to create two-pole, three-pole, or multi-pole connectors simply by varying the number of modules assembled together, eliminating the need for multiple specialized housing designs.
2Ease of manufacture
If modular identical modules are used, then the ease of manufacture and assembly improve, but the reliability of short-circuit contact timing during separation must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The short-circuit contacts are designed to close before the working contacts separate during disconnection. This preliminary action ensures that any potential short-circuiting occurs only when the connector is still mechanically guided and properly aligned, preventing harmful short-circuits while maintaining modular assembly simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The short-circuit contacts are designed with different mechanical characteristics than the working contacts, allowing them to maintain contact longer during separation. This dynamic behavior ensures proper timing where short-circuit contacts close first and remain closed until the connector is fully separated, providing reliable protection during the transition state.
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
Enables simple adaptation to different numbers of conductors, ensuring reliable short-circuiting and efficient assembly/disassembly with consistent mechanical guidance, enhancing flexibility and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The special feature of the short-circuiting contacts 9, 10 is that they are designed together on the one hand as a spring contact 9 and as a mating contact 10
Data Source
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AI summary
The connector has a plug part (1) and a coupling part (2) that are provided with attachable modules (3, 4), respectively. A joining gap is formed between joining sides (5, 6) of one of the attachable modules (3), where a spring contact at one attachable module (3) and a counter contact at the other attachable module (3) contact with each other in the joining gap. Separating units of one coupling part-attachable module are formed such that they are aligned with the gap and pass between the spring contact and the counter contact.