Electrical Plug Connector Retaining Sleeve Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical plug-in connectors experience wear and damage due to the spring element impacting the front rim of the retaining sleeve, leading to undesired radial forces and imprecise movement guidance, with a risk of the spring element bending and being damaged.
Innovation Solution
A method where the spring element is introduced into a clearance between the outer side of the first plug part and the retaining sleeve before axial displacement, ensuring secure movement guidance and preventing the spring element from contacting the retaining sleeve's front rim, with a bent strip forming a thickening for material savings and deformation elasticity, allowing for precise form-fit restings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spring element directly impacts the front rim of the retaining sleeve to displace it axially, then the retaining sleeve can be moved backwards, but the front rim of the retaining sleeve is worn and damaged, and undesired radial forces occur on the retaining sleeve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the inclined surface on the spring element that contacts the retaining sleeve at a point behind the front rim) to mediate the force transmission. Instead of direct impact on the front rim, the spring element contacts the retaining sleeve at a specific location on its rearward surface, distributing the force and avoiding concentrated stress on the vulnerable front rim area.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-formed with a specific geometry (inclined surface) that determines the contact point and force direction before the actual displacement action occurs. This preliminary design ensures that when the spring element is pressed radially outward, it automatically contacts the retaining sleeve at the correct location to produce axial displacement without damaging the front rim.
2Strength
If the spring element is solidly and inflexibly formed, then it provides structural strength, but it is prone to bending and damage during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element's geometry is modified by introducing an inclined surface with specific angular parameters. This parameter change allows the spring element to flexibly transform radial compression forces into axial displacement forces on the retaining sleeve, reducing stress concentrations and making the spring element more resistant to bending and damage while maintaining structural strength.
3Productivity
If the spring element contacts the retaining sleeve immediately upon radial outward movement, then the displacement action is direct, but the movement guidance is imprecise and outward slipping off cannot be excluded
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface on the spring element acts as a mediator that guides the contact point on the retaining sleeve. This intermediary geometry ensures that the spring element contacts the retaining sleeve at a predetermined location and follows a controlled path during displacement, preventing outward slipping and ensuring precise movement guidance while maintaining efficient force transmission.
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 ensures low-wear, secure, and precise movement guidance, preventing damage to the spring element and user injury, while maintaining a lightweight and deformable component design.
Implementation Method 1
The retaining sleeve is retained in a first position biased by a bias spring of the plug-in connector. Upon subsequent further axially pushing together the plug parts, the retaining sleeve is displaced axially backwards from the first position by the spring element, and upon further pushing together the plug parts, this spring element is snapped radially inwards into a recess. In particular, the backward displacement of the retaining sleeve by the spring element is then terminated and the retaining sleeve is automatically again brought into the first position by the bias spring.
Implementation Method 2
Upon connecting the plug parts, a spring element disposed on the second plug part is pressed radially outwards in a connecting intermediate state. Upon subsequent further axially pushing together the plug parts, the retaining sleeve is displaced axially backwards from the first position by the spring element, and upon further pushing together the plug parts, this spring element is snapped radially inwards into a recess.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a method for connecting plug parts of an electrical plug-in connector, in which on a first plug part a hollow cylindrical retaining sleeve is disposed movably in axial direction relative to the first plug part, wherein the retaining sleeve is retained in a first position biased by a bias spring and the axial relative movement is effected against the spring force, and upon connecting the plug parts, a spring element disposed on the second plug part is pressed radially outwards in a connecting intermediate state, upon further axially pushing together the plug parts, the retaining sleeve is displaced axially backwards from the first position by the spring element, and upon further pushing together the plug parts, the spring element snaps radially inwards into a recess and the backward displacement of the retaining sleeve by the spring element is terminated and the retaining sleeve is automatically again brought into the first position by the bias spring, wherein the spring element is introduced into a first clearance between an outer side of the first plug part and an inner side of the retaining sleeve before contacting the retaining sleeve for the axial displacement thereof effected by the spring element. The present application also relates to an electrical plug-in connector.