Plug Connector Locking Hooks for Contact Carrier Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plug connections face issues with the contact carrier moving out of its intended position during assembly or plug-in processes, leading to unreliable and error-prone connections.

Innovation Solution

The outer housing features obliquely aligned locking hooks with a counter-hook geometry that interact with the contact carrier, preventing it from being dislodged once inserted, ensuring secure positioning without hindering the insertion process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If locking hooks with counter-geometry are added to secure the contact carrier, then the contact carrier positioning reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact carrier positioning reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking hook and counter-geometry are integrated into the existing outer housing and contact carrier structures respectively, combining the locking function with the structural components rather than adding separate locking mechanisms. This merging approach improves positioning reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking hook and counter-geometry automatically engage when the contact carrier is inserted into the outer housing, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional actuation or complex control mechanisms. The geometry of the locking hook and counter-geometry ensures automatic securing, improving reliability while keeping the device simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the locking hook is oriented obliquely to prevent dislodgement, then the contact carrier security is improved, but the insertion process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact carrier securityVSAvoidinsertion process ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking hook is pre-oriented obliquely in the outer housing, and the counter-geometry is pre-formed on the contact carrier, so that during insertion the components naturally guide each other into the correct engagement position. This preliminary configuration ensures secure locking while maintaining ease of insertion, as the oblique orientation facilitates automatic alignment during the insertion process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3679631B1Plug connector with locking hooks for securing the contact support of the plug connector in the outer housing of the plug connector
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 HIRSCHMANN AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP3679631B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3679631B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3679631B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a plug connection (1) having a plug connector (2) and a mating plug connector (3). The plug connector (2) and the mating plug connector (3) can be plugged together in order to form the plug connection (1), wherein the plug connector (2) has a contact support (4) with at least one contact chamber for receiving a contact partner, the contact support (4) is inserted into an outer housing (5) of the plug connector (2), each contact partner is primarily locked in the respective contact chamber, and a secondary lock (6) is provided for a secondary locking of the contact partners in the respective contact chambers. The invention is characterized in that the outer housing (5) has at least one locking hook (13) which interacts with the contact support (4). The contact support (4) has a hook mating geometry (14), and the at least one locking hook (13) is aligned diagonally to a central axis of the outer housing (5).