Miniaturized Multi-Pole Plug Connector for High Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-pole plug-in connection units for three-phase AC systems are not miniaturized enough to efficiently transmit high voltage and current while maintaining buckling-proof and locking mechanisms, and they are often costly to produce.

Innovation Solution

A miniaturized circular connector module with complementary plug-in connection parts and a locking sleeve, featuring a monolithic insulating body with axially latched electrical plug contacts, and a protective sheathing with strain relief, allowing for high energy transmission with a diameter less than 23 mm, and including additional auxiliary contacts and a protective conductor contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the plug-in connection unit is miniaturized to reduce size, then the diameter is reduced to less than 23 mm, but the ability to transmit high voltage and current is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediameter of plug connection unitVSAvoidvoltage and current transmission capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical plug contacts are segmented into multiple individual contacts (three main contacts for 630V/16A and two auxiliary contacts for 63V/10A), allowing parallel current paths that increase total power transmission capacity within the miniaturized housing. This segmentation enables the connector to handle high power loads despite the reduced overall diameter of less than 23 mm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the plug-in connection parts are made as monolithic insulating bodies, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the precision of contact alignment and locking reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure of insulating bodyVSAvoidcontact alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical plug contacts are pre-positioned and fixed within the monolithic insulating body during the injection molding process. This preliminary positioning ensures precise alignment of complementary contacts from opposing connectors before the actual plugging operation, maintaining high manufacturing precision while using a simple monolithic structure that reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the locking sleeve is added to secure the plug-in connection parts, then connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking sleeve is merged with the monolithic insulating body structure, where the sleeve integrates with the insulator housing rather than being a completely separate component. This merging approach provides reliable locking functionality through the bayonet-style locking mechanism while minimizing the increase in device complexity and production cost, as the locking features are incorporated into the existing structural framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the protective sheathing with strain relief is added, then protection against environmental factors is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust and water protectionVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sheathing is implemented as a flexible protective coating or thin film layer that envelops the insulating body and cable assembly. This flexible shell provides dustproof and watertight protection (IP65 rating) while being applied through a relatively simple process such as injection molding or coating, thus improving environmental protection without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2777096B2Multi-pole plug connection unit for three-phase alternating current systems
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 LQ MECHATRONIK SYST
  • EP2777096B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2777096B2 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2777096B2 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A multi-pole plug connection unit for three-phase alternating current systems having two plug connection parts which complement one another for the purpose of kink-free plug connection and having a locking sleeve which axially secures the plug connection parts in relation to one another in the plug-connected state is known. According to the invention, each plug connection part is constructed as a monolithic insulating body in which a plurality of electrical plug contacts are axially latched, and an outside diameter of the plug connection parts and the locking sleeve is less than 23 mm, and the plug connection unit is designed to transmit voltage and current intensity ranges of up to 630 volts/16 amperes. Said multi-pole plug connection unit is used for energy and signal transmission in machine tools.