Plug Connection Locking Geometry for Safe Electrical Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connection systems are complex and cost-intensive due to the requirement of both connector partners having a housing, leading to unnecessary geometric complexities and potential damage from unreliable electrical contact before reaching the locked position.
Innovation Solution
A plug connection design where the contact pin integrates all latching and support geometries, eliminating the need for a separate housing, utilizing a preloaded helical spring and sliding mechanism to achieve secure locking and electrical contact only in the locked position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both connector partners have a housing, then protection and enclosure are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the housing function from one connector partner (the contact pin) and integrates it into the other (the contact socket). The contact socket housing now performs both enclosure and locking functions, eliminating the need for a separate housing on the contact pin side.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the housing and locking mechanisms into a single integrated structure on the contact socket side. The housing (120) incorporates the locking hook (121) and spring mechanism, combining multiple functions into one component to reduce overall system complexity.
2Device complexity
If contact pin has no housing, then device complexity is reduced, but protection and enclosure are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the enclosure and protection functions into the contact socket housing (120), which now serves as both the receptacle and protective structure. This single housing encapsulates both the contact socket (20) and locking mechanism, providing comprehensive protection without requiring a separate housing on the contact pin.
3Ease of operation
If electrical contact occurs before locked position, then ease of insertion is improved, but reliability and safety are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a preloaded spring (101) that exerts preliminary counter-force to prevent the locking hook (121) from engaging the contact pin (10) until the correct insertion depth is reached. This preliminary anti-action ensures that electrical contact can only be established after proper locking occurs, preventing premature contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded during assembly to automatically engage the locking hook with the contact pin at the precise moment when full insertion is achieved. This preliminary preparation of the locking mechanism ensures that protection is activated exactly when needed, without requiring additional control systems.
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 simplifies the plug connection system, reduces costs, and ensures reliable electrical contact only in the locked position, preventing damage and arcing by integrating locking mechanisms directly into the contact pin.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a preloaded helical spring and sliding mechanism to achieve secure locking
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a plug connection for transmitting electrical energy by releasable contact, said plug connection comprising at least one plug contact pin and at least one contact socket, the at least one contact socket being received in a plug connector housing and the plug connector housing interacting with a slider which is movable relative thereto, so that the plug connection partners are housed in an inserted and secondarily locked contacting position. At least one detent and support geometry is integrated into the plug contact pin and interacts with the plug connector housing, so that the contacting partners are disconnected from one another when the positions thereof relative to one another are outside the secondary locking position.