Method for producing a plug-in connection on a printed circuit board of a heating device, plug-in connection, control and drive device, and heating device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for verifying electrical connections in heating device connectors are complex, require additional components, increase connector size, and fail to detect loose connections or detachment from the circuit board.

Innovation Solution

A method involving inserting a connector plug into a socket on a circuit board, establishing an electrical verification contact outside the socket, and checking the electrical connection between the plug and the circuit board, without requiring additional space or components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional contacts are used to test electrical contact, then the reliability of connection verification is improved, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection verification reliabilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The verification contact function is extracted from the main signal contacts. The plug includes a dedicated verification contact element that is separate from the signal transmission contacts, allowing independent verification of electrical connection without interfering with the primary function of signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A verification contact element is introduced as an intermediary component between the plug and socket. This element establishes a test electrical connection through the circuit board to verify proper insertion and electrical contact, acting as a mediator that enables connection verification without requiring modifications to the existing signal contacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical locking devices are used, then the stability of plug connection is improved, but the ability to detect electrical contact is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug connection stabilityVSAvoidelectrical contact detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical locking function and electrical verification function are merged into a single plug structure. The verification contact element is integrated into the plug body, allowing simultaneous achievement of mechanical stability through locking and electrical contact verification through the integrated verification contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If force-time curve characteristics are analyzed, then the precision of connector classification is improved, but the ability to verify electrical contact is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector assembly precisionVSAvoidelectrical contact verification reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical measurement approach (force-time curve analysis) is replaced with an electrical verification approach. Instead of measuring mechanical assembly forces, the system uses electrical conductivity measurement through the verification contact to directly verify proper electrical connection, substituting mechanical sensing with electrical sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 and efficient verification of electrical connections, reducing connector size and detecting loose connections or detachment, while being easy and cost-effective to implement.

Implementation Method 1

establishing an electrical verification contact outside the socket between the connector and the circuit board; Checking the electrical verification contact between the connector and the circuit board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical contact: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4328605B1Method for producing a plug-in connection on a printed circuit board of a heating device, plug-in connection, control and drive device, and heating device

Publication Date: 2026.04.29 VAILLANT GMBH(DE)

Figure 1
Figure 2~4

AI summary

A method for producing a plug connection (11) on a circuit board (18) of a heating device (1) is proposed, comprising at least the following steps: a) inserting a plug (12) of the plug connection (11) into a recess (13) of the plug connection (11) connected to the circuit board (18); b) establishing an electrical verification contact (16) outside the recess (13) between the plug (12) and the circuit board (18); c) verifying the electrical verification contact (16) between the plug (12) and the circuit board (18). Advantageously, this method provides a plug connection (11) that offers a simple way to verify the electrical contact of the plug connection (11) and also does not require any additional installation space.