Plug Connector Adapter Housing Force Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical plug connectors designed as circuit board connectors face contact problems due to force applied during mating, and existing solutions like adapters can still cause stress on connection contacts, leading to service life issues.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a snap-in connection with a base body and housing fastening part having a receiving groove that supports forces directly into the housing wall, reducing contact element stress by allowing axial movement and surface fit play, thus minimizing force application on soldering points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the connector is designed as a printed circuit board connector soldered onto a printed circuit board, then the connector can be securely mounted, but the solder contacts are stressed by forces applied during mating, leading to contact problems over lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate parts: a connector housing that is soldered to the printed circuit board, and an adapter housing that is inserted into the housing opening. This segmentation allows the adapter housing to absorb insertion forces independently, preventing these forces from being transmitted to the soldered connector housing and its sensitive contact elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter housing serves as an intermediary component between the housing opening and the connector housing. It absorbs and redirects the forces generated during mating operations, transferring them to the housing structure rather than to the connector's contact elements, thus protecting the soldered connection.
2Ease of manufacture
If an adapter housing is used to transfer forces directly to the housing opening, then mounting is simplified, but the connection contacts are still stressed, causing contact problems
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter housing is designed with specific local features: a receiving groove that engages with the housing opening edge and locking connecting elements that secure it in position. These localized structural qualities enable the adapter housing to effectively absorb and redirect forces, protecting the connector contacts while maintaining simple mounting.
3Stability of the object's composition
If locking connecting elements are provided to secure the adapter housing, then the adapter housing is firmly fixed, but the force transmission path may still stress the connector housing
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission path is extracted and redirected through the adapter housing's receiving groove engagement with the housing opening. The locking connecting elements secure the adapter housing in position while the receiving groove creates a separate force absorption path that prevents insertion forces from reaching the connector housing.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~3a
Figure 4~4a
AI summary
The plug connector (1) has a plug housing (4) that is provided for receiving an electrical contact element (5). A mating end of electrical contact element is stuck to the connecting of contact element with a complementary plug connector. A detent connection unit (8) is provided for locking connection of an adapter housing (7) with the plug housing. A housing fixing element (10) of base portion (9) provided in adapter housing is formed with a receiving groove (11) rotated in circumferential direction to partially receive an edge surface area of housing opening (2).