Multi-Directional Plug Connector Contacts for Skewed Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connector parts for electrical connections face challenges in accommodating skewed mating of modules, leading to tolerance compensation issues and fragility in certain applications, limiting their flexibility and robustness across various uses.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector part with a housing and contacts arranged to be electrically contactable from multiple plugging directions, where the angular location of the contacts is fixed, providing a robust and flexible design that can be used in multiple applications without movement due to manufacturing tolerances, and optionally incorporating an angle adapter for additional protection and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed assembly with screw terminals or connecting cables is used for electrical connection, then the connection is robust and reliable, but the device complexity and ease of operation are reduced due to assembly requirements and limited flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into a plug connector part and a counter plug connector part, allowing the contacts to be separated into distinct components that can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The contact system incorporates dynamic elements such as spring-loaded contacts that can automatically adjust to tolerance variations during assembly, providing robust electrical connection without requiring precise pre-alignment or complex assembly procedures
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pendulum contact or swing hinge mechanism is used to enable multiple plugging directions, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability and strength are reduced due to fragility
Solution Approach 1:
The contact system is designed to accept plug connector parts from multiple spatial directions (different dimensions) through the arrangement of contacts on the housing, enabling multi-directional plugging without requiring movable pendulum or hinge mechanisms, thus maintaining robustness while achieving adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The housing with contacts is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, electrical connection, and multi-directional compatibility, eliminating the need for separate fragile moving components while achieving the same adaptability
3Manufacturing precision
If the angular location of contacts is fixed on the housing, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability is reduced due to limited plugging directions
Solution Approach 1:
While each contact has a fixed angular location on the housing for manufacturing precision, the housing itself can be oriented in different spatial directions, and multiple contacts are arranged at different angular positions, collectively providing multi-directional adaptability without compromising individual contact precision
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connector part for electrical connection to a counter plug connector part includes: a housing; and a plurality of contacts arranged on the housing such that the plurality of contacts are electrically contactable from different plugging directions by counter contacts of the counter plug connector part. An angular location of the contacts relative to the housing is fixed.