Plug Connector Grooves for Strain Relief and Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-type connectors and mating connectors face challenges in preventing erroneous connections due to the space-consuming coding grooves that lack additional functional uses.
Innovation Solution
The grooves in the plug-type connector are arranged offset to the conductor insertion openings and extend from the connection side to the plug-in side, allowing them to occupy the interspace between openings, enabling space-saving design and utilization for strain-relief or grip elements, while guide webs in the mating connector are positioned to securely hold coding pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coding grooves are provided for preventing erroneous connections, then connection reliability is improved, but the device width increases and space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves are designed to serve dual purposes: they receive coding elements for preventing erroneous connections, and simultaneously function as strain relief structures for the electrical conductors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate coding grooves, thereby reducing connector width while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the coding groove function with the strain relief groove function into a single integrated structure. By combining these two previously separate functions into one groove system, the overall connector width is reduced while both the coding reliability and conductor protection are maintained.
2Manufacturing precision
If coding elements are inserted into separate coding grooves, then connection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves are designed to serve dual purposes: they receive coding elements for preventing erroneous connections, and simultaneously function as strain relief structures for the electrical conductors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate coding grooves, thereby reducing connector width while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the strain relief function from separate structural elements and integrates it into the existing coding grooves. By taking out the need for separate strain relief features and incorporating them into the coding groove design, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining both coding accuracy and conductor protection.
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
This configuration reduces the physical width of the connectors, allows for dual functionality of grooves, and effectively prevents erroneous connections through optimized coding and latching mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
in each case one spring force connection element per conductor insertion opening, which spring force connection elements are shaped and accommodated in the insulating housing in such a way that they are operatively connected to in each case one associated electrical conductor inserted in a conductor insertion opening
Data Source
AI summary
The plug-type connector with an insulating housing, with conductor insertion openings for inserting electrical conductors, which are aligned next to one another in a connection plane, extend in a plug-in direction and lead from a connection side into the interior of the insulating housing, with mating contact receiving openings for receiving mating contacts of a mating plug-type connector, which are aligned next to one another in a plug-in plane and extending from a plug-in side into the interior of the insulating housing, and with grooves in the insulating housing which extend in the plug-in direction. The grooves are arranged offset to the conductor insertion openings and the mating contact receiving openings and partially enter an interspace between adjacent conductor insertion openings. The grooves extend from the connection side to the plug-in side over the entire length of the plug-type connector.