Electrical Plug Connector Adapter for Grounding and Cable Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges in accommodating cables with different outer diameters and structures, particularly with metal hoses or pipes, where grounding becomes difficult when using plastic housings.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring a separate adapter part with an outer contour adapted to the housing and internal structure for different sheathing lines, which also serves as a grounding contact, ensuring a secure and reliable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a plastic housing is used for the connector to enable large-scale production, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but grounding the metal hose becomes increasingly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a plastic housing body and a separate metal adapter part. The metal adapter part is inserted into the plastic housing and provides the grounding function, while the plastic housing provides insulation and structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its optimal function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal adapter part acts as an intermediary between the metal hose and the plastic housing. It provides a grounding path from the metal hose to the grounding contact, enabling grounding in an otherwise non-conductive plastic housing structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different connector designs are provided for different sheathing lines to accommodate varying outer diameters and structures, then adaptability is improved, but the number of individual parts and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The metal adapter part is designed with a universal outer contour that fits into the plastic housing, while its inner contour can be varied to accommodate different sheathing line diameters and structures. This allows a single adapter design to serve multiple cable types, reducing the number of different parts needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter part has different contour characteristics at different locations: the outer contour is standardized for housing compatibility, while the inner contour is adapted to specific sheathing line requirements. This local differentiation allows adaptability without increasing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If a metal housing is used to provide grounding for the metal hose, then grounding reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a plastic housing body and a separate metal adapter part. The metal adapter part is inserted into the plastic housing and provides the grounding function, while the plastic housing provides insulation and structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its optimal function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding function and the housing structure are merged into a single assembly through the metal adapter part that connects the metal hose to the grounding contact within the plastic housing, achieving both grounding reliability and manufacturing efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical plug connector (1) having a housing for accommodating conductors (4) and having a separate adapter part (13) having an outer contour matched to an inner contour of the housing and an inner structure for connecting a sleeve conductor (16) serving to encase the conductors (4). The adapter part additionally comprises means for accommodating a ground contact (18).