Plug Connector Elastic Protective Element Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors fail to prevent the accumulation of dirt and other environmental particles on their exterior surfaces, particularly in hygienically demanding environments like food processing facilities, leading to cleaning challenges and potential bacterial hazards.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring protective elements made of elastic plastic that cover the transition areas between the housing and locking mechanisms, preventing dirt ingress and facilitating easy cleaning, with these elements ensuring sealing and allowing for movement while being fixed using methods like 2K injection molding or gluing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connectors are designed with multiple components and sealing elements to protect against environmental influences, then protection against dirt ingress is improved, but the connector surfaces create edges and gaps where dirt accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible protective element made of elastic plastic that covers the transition area between the connector housing and locking means. This flexible membrane seals the gap and edges where dirt would accumulate, while maintaining the functional movement of the locking means. The elastic material allows the protective element to conform to the connector geometry and move with the locking mechanism without compromising the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the rigid connector components and implements it through a separate flexible protective element. This separate element can be optimized specifically for sealing purposes while the main connector structure maintains its mechanical functions. The protective element is fixed to one component and rests sealingly on the other, separating the sealing requirement from the structural design.
2Reliability
If sealing elements are added between connector components to prevent dirt ingress, then sealing performance is improved, but the complexity of the connector design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective element with one of the existing connector components through fixation (e.g., gluing or 2K injection molding), creating an integrated assembly. This reduces the number of separate parts compared to having completely independent sealing elements, while still providing effective sealing. The protective element becomes part of the connector housing or locking means assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible protective element provides sealing functionality with a simple membrane structure rather than complex mechanical seals or multiple rigid components. The elastic plastic material inherently provides sealing through its flexibility and ability to conform to surfaces, eliminating the need for additional sealing mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the connector housing and locking means are fixed together rigidly to prevent movement, then structural stability is improved, but cleaning access and dirt removal become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible protective element covers the transition area while allowing the locking means to move relative to the housing. The elastic material accommodates the movement without compromising the seal or structural integrity. This maintains structural stability during operation while enabling easier cleaning access since the protective element can be designed to not interfere with cleaning processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic flexibility through the elastic protective element that allows controlled movement between the locking means and housing. This dynamic capability enables the connector to maintain sealing during operation while facilitating cleaning by allowing access to areas that would otherwise be sealed by rigid fixed components.
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
The design effectively reduces dirt accumulation and enhances cleaning efficiency by sealing the transition areas between connector components, ensuring a cleaner and safer surface in environments requiring high hygiene standards.
Implementation Method 1
the protective element, which consists of an elastic plastic
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a plug connector (1) consisting of a plug connector housing (2) and a locking means (3), by means of which the plug connector housing (2) can be mechanically connected to a matching plug connector (4). The locking means (3) is accessible from the exterior on the plug connector housing (2). Protective elements (5, 7) which protect the junction regions (9, 10) are provided at junction regions (9, 10) between the plug connector housing (2) and the locking means (3).