Plug Connector Snap-On Grooves for Secure Holding Element Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connectors lack enhanced snap-on contours and holding elements that provide secure attachment, easy assembly, and universal compatibility with diverse connection terminals.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing exterior wall with distinct seating grooves for a holder and latch, allowing for secure perpendicular and transverse attachment, with elastic web sections for interlocking friction and haptic feedback, enabling universal assembly on various plug connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single integrated seating groove is used for both holder and latch, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of attachment is compromised due to lack of functional separation
Solution Approach 1:
The single seating groove is segmented into two distinct grooves: a first seating groove for the holder and a second seating groove for the latch. This segmentation separates the functions of perpendicular attachment (holder) and transverse attachment (latch), improving reliability by ensuring each component has its own dedicated seating location while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If elastic web sections are added for interlocking friction, then attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional structural elements
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic web sections are merged with the housing structure itself, forming an integrated snap-on contour rather than being separate components. The web sections connect the first and second seating grooves and are formed as part of the housing wall, providing interlocking friction and haptic feedback while minimizing additional complexity by combining multiple functions into a unified structure.
3Ease of operation
If distinct first and second seating grooves are implemented, then ease of operation is improved through functional separation, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each seating groove is designed with specific local qualities optimized for its function: the first seating groove has dimensions and features optimized for holder insertion and perpendicular attachment, while the second seating groove has features optimized for latch engagement and transverse attachment. This local optimization improves ease of operation for each component while allowing manufacturing processes to target specific precision requirements for each groove rather than requiring uniform high precision throughout.
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 design ensures secure attachment, easy assembly, and universal compatibility, preventing pulling-off and offering haptic feedback, while allowing for flexible orientation and multiple function implementations such as strain relief and labeling.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second seating grooves have elastic web sections that connect to one another and to a rear side of the snap-on contour. The elastic web sections provide interlocking friction between a holder and the first seating groove and between a latch and the second seating groove.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connector with a housing that has at least one conductor insertion opening for inserting an electrical conductor from a conductor insertion direction, a conductor clamping device is accommodated in the housing, and at least one housing exterior wall of the housing is designed to have a snap-on contour for snapping onto a holding element. A first receiving groove has a holding portion which is suitable for receiving a holder of the holding element. The housing exterior wall has a second receiving groove with a longitudinal extent greater than a transverse extent. The second receiving groove is suitable for receiving a latch of the holding element. The second receiving groove has counter-latch which interact with the latch of the holding element, and the longitudinal extent of the first receiving groove and the longitudinal extent of the second receiving groove are substantially parallel.