Plug Contact With Oblique Sealing Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical plug-in contacts are limited in their ability to securely connect in both axial and transverse directions, particularly at right angles, and often require different constructions for each orientation, lacking adequate tightness in both configurations.

Innovation Solution

The design features a first contact part with a tongue-shaped profile and a second contact part that can be attached transversely or at an angle, with both contact parts surrounded by housings having obliquely arranged sealing surfaces and lead-in surfaces to ensure secure engagement and sealing, allowing for axial and perpendicular connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the contact parts are designed for axial connection only, then the connection is simple and secure, but the device cannot be used for transverse or angled connections requiring different constructions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection orientationVSAvoidconstruction variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact part design incorporates a universal housing structure with sealing surfaces and lead-in surfaces that enable the same component to be used for axial, transverse, and angled connections. The housing with oblique sealing surfaces and integrated seal allows a single construction to fulfill multiple connection orientations, eliminating the need for different constructions for different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the contact parts are designed for transverse connection, then versatile positioning is achieved, but adequate tightness and sealing are difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection orientationVSAvoidsealing tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with localized sealing features including oblique sealing surfaces arranged at specific angles and integrated seals positioned at critical interfaces. These localized quality enhancements ensure adequate tightness and sealing specifically at the connection interfaces where it is most needed, while maintaining the overall versatility of the contact part design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If sealing surfaces are arranged obliquely at 45 degrees, then tightness and sealing are significantly improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing tightnessVSAvoidhousing fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing surfaces are arranged obliquely at a specific angle parameter (45 degrees) to optimize sealing performance. This parameter change improves tightness by creating optimal contact geometry, while the angle is chosen as a standard value that balances manufacturing feasibility with sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If lead-in surfaces are added to facilitate attachment, then ease of connection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment facilitationVSAvoidcontact part structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Lead-in surfaces are incorporated into the housing design to guide and facilitate the attachment process. These pre-formed surfaces perform the preliminary action of guiding the mating contact part into proper alignment and position, making the connection process easier while the features are integrated into the overall housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2158643B1Plug contact
Publication Date: 2012.01.25 WILO SE
  • EP2158643B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2158643B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2158643B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a plug contact having at least one first contact part and at least one second, wherein one contact part may be overlapped by the other contact part and, in a plugged-together position, the two contact parts are aligned with one another, and wherein, in a second plugged-together position, the second contact part may be plugged into, particularly is plugged into, the first contact part transversely or obliquely to the insertion direction of the first position.