Fluid-Tight Motor Connector Using Locking Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sealing flanges for electric motors in vehicles, such as engine cooling fans and ABS/ESP systems, are complex, expensive, and prone to tightness issues due to microencapsulated screws, which can damage components and increase material usage, while also being difficult to remove and repair.

Innovation Solution

A fluid-tight electric motor connection plug with a plug housing that uses a locking spring for easy attachment and detachment, eliminating the need for microencapsulated screws and steel sleeves, and incorporating a radial and axial seal for a more efficient and cost-effective fluid seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If microencapsulated screws are used to fix the sealing flange to the housing, then the connection is fluid-tight and secure, but the assembly complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid-tight connectionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex microencapsulated screw system from the sealing flange assembly. Instead of using screws with microencapsulation, the invention uses a simple press-fit connection where the sealing flange is directly pressed into the housing, removing the need for additional fastening components and their complex installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing flange is designed to create its own secure connection through the press-fit mechanism. The elastic sealing element deforms during insertion and automatically locks the flange in position, eliminating the need for external fastening systems like microencapsulated screws that require complex installation and provide only marginal improvement in sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If microencapsulated screws are used to ensure fluid-tightness, then sealing is improved, but chip production during tapping damages components and reduces reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing tightnessVSAvoidchip damage to components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the screw tapping process entirely from the assembly procedure. By using a press-fit connection instead of threaded fasteners, the harmful chip-producing tapping operation is eliminated, preventing damage to the housing and internal components while maintaining secure fluid-tight connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If self-tapping screws with steel sleeves are used to prevent settling, then the connection is secure, but material usage and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the steel sleeves and self-tapping screws from the sealing flange assembly. The press-fit connection with elastic sealing element provides sufficient mechanical strength and settling prevention without requiring these additional metal components, significantly reducing material usage and assembly cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If a conventional sealing flange with multiple screws is used, then the connection is secure, but the removal and repair process becomes difficult and damaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidremoval ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex screw fastening system from the sealing flange design. The press-fit connection allows the flange to be easily removed by simply pulling it out, enabling simple repairs and replacements without the need to break open microencapsulation or damage housing threads, while still providing secure fluid-tight connection during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The solution provides a simpler, cost-effective, and reliable fluid-tight connection that reduces assembly complexity and material usage, ensuring the connection can be easily removed and reattached without damaging components, while maintaining the integrity of the seal.

Implementation Method 1

The connector housing can be fixed by means of a locking spring, as a result of which the fluid-tight connector plug can be easily releasably attached to the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

at least one electrical line can be connected to the motor in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the latter... an axial seal 105 and an electrical line 80 via a radial seal 106

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP2580822B1Fluid tight connector for electrical motor and electrical motor
Publication Date: 2017.10.04 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2580822B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2580822B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2580822B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a fluid-sealing electric motor connector (1) for a housing (70) of an electric motor (7), in particular an electric motor (7) of an engine cooling fan or of an ABS/ESP system of a motor vehicle, comprising a connector housing (10), which can be attached to the housing (70) and by means of which at least one electrical line (80) can be connected to the electric motor so as to be fluid-sealed to the electric motor (7), wherein the connector housing (10) can be fastened to the housing (70) by means of a locking spring (50) or a catch mechanism, wherein the fluid-sealing electric motor connector (1) can be fastened to the housing (70) in an easily detachable manner. The invention further relates to a motor, in particular an electric motor (7) for an engine cooling fan or an ABS/ESP system of a motor vehicle, or a completed electrical cable (8) for a motor (7), in particular an electric motor (7), wherein the motor (7) or the completed electrical cable (8) has a fluid-sealing electric motor connector (1) according to the invention.