Cable Plug Connector With Offset Earth Coupling for Last-Release Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable plug connectors face risks of mechanical failure and electrical hazards due to unintentional pulling, leading to potential short circuits and electric shocks, especially in environments with high mechanical stress, and require additional work to ensure the protective conductor is the last to disconnect.
Innovation Solution
A cable plug connector design with a mechanical locking mechanism, including a retaining element and latch slider, ensures a secure connection with a panel connector, and positions the protective conductor contact element closer to the cable insertion opening, forming a loop automatically without additional work, ensuring it remains connected last during pulling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the earth conductor is made longer than other conductors to ensure it remains connected during mechanical stress, then safety is improved, but additional work is required to adjust conductor lengths manually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the coupling portions at different distances from the cable insertion opening during manufacturing. The earthing coupling portion is positioned closer to the opening than the first and second coupling portions, which automatically ensures the earth conductor remains connected during pull-out events without requiring manual length adjustment during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through the self-service mechanism where the differential positioning of coupling portions automatically creates the necessary conductor length difference. The earth conductor naturally forms a loop or excess length due to the shorter path to the earthing coupling portion, eliminating the need for manual intervention to make the earth conductor longer.
2Reliability
If manual length adjustment is performed to ensure earth conductor remains connected during stress, then safety is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling portions are pre-positioned at different distances from the cable insertion opening during manufacturing, with the earthing coupling portion closer than the other coupling portions. This preliminary configuration automatically ensures the earth conductor remains connected during mechanical stress without requiring time-consuming manual adjustments during installation.
3Ease of operation
If the earth conductor contact is released first during mechanical stress, then ease of disconnection is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of short circuits and electric shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The earthing coupling portion is pre-positioned closer to the cable insertion opening than other coupling portions, which determines the sequence of contact release during mechanical stress. This preliminary configuration ensures the earth conductor remains connected until other conductors are disconnected, maintaining safety without requiring additional operational steps.
4Reliability
If the earthing coupling portion is positioned closer to the cable insertion opening, then the earth conductor remains connected during stress, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating an asymmetric arrangement where only the earthing coupling portion is positioned closer to the cable insertion opening, while other coupling portions remain at different positions. This localized structural differentiation achieves the safety function without requiring complete structural redesign or complex mechanisms throughout the entire device.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable plug connector having a mechanical retaining element, a latch slider, mechanical key elements, a cable insertion opening, an outer conductor contact element, a neutral conductor contact element and a protective conductor contact element. The outer conductor contact element provides an electrically conductive connection with the outer conductor in a first coupling portion, the neutral conductor contact element provides a connection with the neutral conductor in a second coupling portion, and the protective conductor contact element provides a connection with the protective conductor in an earthing coupling portion. These, connections are each provided within the respective coupling portions via respective conductor end pieces being contacted at at least one contact point and thereby fixed. The earthing coupling portion is arranged at a shorter distance from the cable insertion opening in the insertion direction of the power cable than ends of the first and second coupling portions.