Elastomer-Mounted Plug Connector Contacts for Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Plug connectors face failure due to vibrations and dynamic mechanical stresses, leading to interrupted electrical contact and reduced fatigue life, especially in environments with temperature fluctuations and moisture.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an elastomer sleeve that elastically mounts the contact socket and pin, reducing relative movement and oscillation amplitude, thereby minimizing wear and enhancing vibration damping without compromising sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid mounting of contact elements is used, then electrical contact stability is improved, but resistance to vibration and dynamic mechanical stresses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact stabilityVSAvoidvibration damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using an elastomer sleeve that flexibly mounts the contact elements (contact pin and contact socket) within the plug housing. The elastomer material provides both mechanical flexibility to absorb vibrations and maintains stable electrical contact through elastic deformation, resolving the contradiction between rigid contact stability and vibration resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material principles by combining the elastomer mounting material with the conductive contact elements. The elastomer provides vibration damping while the metal contact elements maintain electrical conductivity, creating a composite structure that simultaneously addresses both electrical stability and vibration resistance requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If vibration-damping material is used to elastically decouple the plug connection, then resistance to vibration stresses is improved, but mechanical strength and contact stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration resistanceVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing vibration damping only at specific locations where contact elements are mounted within the plug housing, rather than throughout the entire structure. The elastomer sleeve provides localized vibration isolation at the contact element mounting points while maintaining overall structural integrity and mechanical strength of the plug connector

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomer sleeve acts as a flexible mounting structure that locally decouples contact elements from vibration stresses while maintaining adequate mechanical strength through its elastic properties and structural design, resolving the contradiction between vibration damping and mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Duration of action of stationary object

If elastomer component is used to reduce relative movement between contact elements, then wear is reduced and service life is extended, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice lifeVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the single elastomer sleeve component: it provides vibration damping, reduces relative movement between contact elements, maintains contact pressure, and protects contact surfaces. This consolidation reduces overall device complexity compared to using separate components for each function while extending service life through comprehensive protection of contact elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The elastomer sleeve significantly reduces wear and extends the service life of plug connections by absorbing vibratory movements, improving reliability and reducing the risk of failure from vibratory stress.

Implementation Method 1

the elastomer sleeve significantly reduces wear and extends the service life of plug connections by absorbing vibratory movements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

Incorporating an elastomer sleeve that elastically mounts the contact socket and pin, reducing relative movement and oscillation amplitude

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240162646A1Plug connector plug having an increased vibratory strength

Publication Date: 2024.05.16 AMPHENOL TUCHEL ELECTRONICS

AI summary

The invention relates to a plug connector plug for a plug connector having an increased vibratory strength, comprising a plug connector plug housing with at least one contact element which is introduced into a receiving chamber of the plug connector plug housing, the contact element being elastically mounted and/or positioned with an elastomer element in the receiving chamber of the plug connector plug housing. The invention further relates to a plug connector comprising such a plug connector plug.