Single-Piece Plug Connector Housing with Internal Unlocking Tab

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plug connectors face issues with guaranteed unlocking after automatic locking, especially due to external influences like dust or dirt, which can lead to failure of the unlocking mechanism, and require complex assembly with multiple components.

Innovation Solution

A single-piece housing with an internal unlocking mechanism featuring a tab and gliding/unlocking elements that interact to shift the latching mechanism from the exterior to the interior, allowing for easy disconnection, using a spring for automatic locking and a tab for operation, with guiding grooves and angled elements for efficient movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the latching mechanism is mounted on the exterior of the housing, then the unlocking mechanism is easily accessible, but it becomes vulnerable to external influences such as dust or dirt which can cause failure of the unlocking mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of unlocking mechanismVSAvoidvulnerability to dust or dirt

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The unlocking mechanism is nested inside the housing of the plug connector. The unlocking element is positioned within the housing interior, and the latching mechanism is actuated from the inside through interaction between the unlocking element and the latching element. This nesting protects the unlocking mechanism from external harmful factors like dust and dirt while maintaining its functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If the housing is formed with multiple components, then the unlocking mechanism can be assembled separately, but the assembly complexity increases and the structure becomes more vulnerable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is formed as a single-piece component that integrates the unlocking mechanism within its interior. The unlocking element, gliding element, and latching element are all positioned within or as part of the single housing structure, eliminating the need for separate assemblies and reducing the total number of components while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the unlocking mechanism acts from the exterior on the latching mechanism, then the structure is simple, but external influences can interfere with the mechanical interplay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidguarantee of mechanical interplay

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the unlocking mechanism acting on the latching mechanism from the exterior, the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning the unlocking mechanism inside the housing. The unlocking element acts on the latching element from the interior side, reversing the traditional external actuation approach and thereby protecting the mechanical interplay from external harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Ensures reliable and simple disconnection of the plug connector from a mating plug, maintaining electrical and mechanical contact while reducing component complexity and vulnerability to external influences.

Implementation Method 1

The latching mechanism, which is flat on the plug side, latches into an opening when the plug connector is connected to the mating plug; this opening is located in a spring element of the mating plug

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the gliding element and the unlocking element are connected to each other in a movable manner and interact so that the motion of the gliding element along the longitudinal axis of the plug connector causes the unlocking element to move vertically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the plug connector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS8986036B2Plug connector

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 HARTING ELECTRIC GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A plug connector to connect electrical conductors, comprising a housing of the plug connector formed as a single piece and provide an unlocking mechanism in the housing which is triggered by operating a tab on a cable connection side.A latching mechanism which is located on the exterior of the housing can be shifted into the housing by triggering the unlocking mechanism, forming a latch with a mating plug.