Plug Contact Latching Mechanism for Play-Free Fixation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In motor vehicles, plug connections on printed circuit boards are prone to detachment due to mechanical loads, leading to electrical contact loss, and existing solutions fail to reliably detect half-mating connections, causing pseudo-defects during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A plug contact set with a test contact of shorter length and three latching elements ensures proper mating by engaging the third latching element with either the first or second latching element, providing a play-free fixation and preventing connector detachment, allowing for automated detection of proper mating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a test contact with shorter length is used to detect proper mating, then detection capability is improved, but false detection occurs due to longitudinal play causing pseudo-defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third latching element as an intermediary component between the first and second latching elements. This third element acts as a mediator that, when engaged, eliminates the longitudinal play between the connector and contact strip, thereby preventing the pseudo-defects caused by excessive play while maintaining the test contact's ability to detect proper mating
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameter of the latching mechanism by adding a third latching element that modifies the longitudinal play parameter. When the third latching element is engaged, it reduces the longitudinal play from 0.9-1.00 mm to a minimal value, thereby changing the physical state of the connection to eliminate false detections
2Device complexity
If only two latching elements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but connection stability deteriorates under mechanical loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the latching function into three distinct latching elements instead of two, distributing the load and stability functions across multiple components. The first latching element provides initial connection, the second provides additional security, and the third eliminates longitudinal play, together creating a more stable connection under mechanical loads
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic latching sequence where the three latching elements engage in a specific order during insertion. This dynamic engagement process ensures that the connector progresses through defined stages of connection, with each latching element contributing to overall stability as the connection is established
3Adaptability or versatility
If longitudinal play of 0.9-1.00 mm is provided to compensate for tolerances, then manufacturing adaptability is improved, but connector detachment risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by designing the three latching elements to engage in a predetermined sequence during insertion. The first and second latching elements engage initially to provide tolerance compensation, while the third latching element is positioned to engage subsequently and eliminate excessive play before the connector can be fully inserted, preventing detachment before the connection is complete
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 1d~1e
AI summary
The invention relates to a plug contact set comprising a plug contact strip (17) with multiple first contact elements (12, 14) which are designed as part of a printed circuit board (10), which are arranged in the region of a printed circuit board edge (19), and at least one of which is designed as a test contact (14) with a shorter length in the plug-in direction (S) than the remaining contact elements. The plug contact set also comprises a plug connector with multiple second contact elements (22) which are arranged in a housing (21) and at least one of which is designed to come into electric contact with the test contact (14). At least one first latching element (31, 51) which is designed as part of the printed circuit board (10) is arranged on the printed circuit board edge (18), and at least one second latching element (32) is arranged on the housing, said latching elements being designed to latch together when the first contact elements (12, 14) completely contact the second contact elements (22). A third latching element (33, 53) which is designed as part of the printed circuit board (10) and which can be latched with the second latching element (32) is provided, said third latching element being arranged at a distance from the first latching element (31) in the plug-in direction (S) such that the housing (21) can be fixed on the printed circuit board (10) with as little play as possible by means of the third latching element (33, 53) latching with the second latching element (32) when the first and second plug contacts (12, 14, 22) completely contact one another.