Pneumatic Valve Electrical Linking Module Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical interlinking modules for pneumatic valve systems have complex assembly processes due to individual component installation, leading to significant assembly tolerances and prolonged assembly times, and are limited by electrical characteristic parameters.
Innovation Solution
An electrical interlinking module with an angular housing featuring a large connection opening for a separate functional module, allowing for individual attachment and detachment, and a carrier device with open receiving slots and cross struts for precise positioning and support of interlinking contacts, facilitating easier assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual components are installed separately in known interlinking modules, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but assembly complexity increases and assembly time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple interlinking contacts and their mounting structures into a single integrated circuit carrier. This circuit carrier is then inserted as one unit into the housing, eliminating the need for individual component installation. The merging of contacts, mounting structures, and carrier into a single assembly directly reduces assembly complexity while maintaining flexibility through the modular circuit carrier design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual components are installed separately, then component positioning can be adjusted, but assembly tolerances increase and manufacturing precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical assembly process of individually positioning and mounting contacts with a standardized insertion mechanism. The circuit carrier with pre-positioned contacts is inserted into the housing as a single unit, eliminating cumulative positioning errors from multiple individual mounting operations. This substitution of the assembly method maintains positioning adaptability through the modular design while significantly improving assembly tolerances.
3Reliability
If multiple interlinking contacts are installed individually, then electrical connections can be established, but assembly time is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-assembling all interlinking contacts and their mounting structures onto the circuit carrier before insertion into the housing. This pre-assembly ensures all electrical connections are properly established in advance, maintaining connection reliability while reducing the final assembly to a single insertion operation, thereby dramatically reducing assembly time.
4Reliability
If a closed housing design is used, then protection is provided, but access to interior components for maintenance is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing into a main body and a removable cover that provides access to the interior. The circuit carrier with interlinking contacts is positioned such that it can be accessed by removing the cover, maintaining protection when assembled while enabling easy maintenance access. The modular circuit carrier itself can be removed and replaced without disassembling the entire housing structure.
5Reliability
If interlinking contacts are positioned deep in the housing, then protection is improved, but assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the circuit carrier as an intermediary component that holds all interlinking contacts in predetermined positions. The carrier acts as a mediator between the housing and the contacts, providing a reference structure that simplifies positioning. The carrier is inserted into the housing as a complete assembly, allowing contacts to be positioned deep in the housing for protection while the carrier's structure maintains precise positioning without requiring high assembly precision for individual components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical linking module (2) for a pneumatic valve system, which has a rectangular housing (10) having a connection opening (16) on one side of the housing for an electrical function module (3) separate from the linking module (2), and which has a plurality of linking contacts (8) designed for linking the linking module (2) with at least one further linking module (2), wherein a support device (25) designed to receive the linking contacts (8) is arranged in the housing (10), which has straight first receiving slots (29) oriented towards the connection opening (16), designed for extending and guiding one linking contact (8) through each slot.wherein the first receiving slots (29) arranged in the area of a first side wall (11) of the housing (10) are, viewed in their vertical extent, open at their upper ends (30) facing the connection opening (16) for threading the linking contacts (8) into the first receiving slots (29) from above via these upper ends (30). The invention also relates to a control unit (1) and a pneumatic valve system.