Retaining Block Transverse Contact Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retaining blocks and modular plug inserts require additional locking mechanisms and complex cable management, making it difficult to minimize the size of the mating face and complicate the mounting process due to the need for latching hooks and subsequent lockings.
Innovation Solution
The retaining block features a securing sleeve with a locking mechanism that engages with the covering surfaces, allowing contact members to be inserted transversely, eliminating the need for latching hooks and simplifying the mounting process by providing a compact design with offset walls that enhance the receiving surface for contact members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact members are introduced into the retaining block along the plug-in direction with latching hooks, then the contact members can be securely retained, but the device complexity increases and the mating face size cannot be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving opening is divided into two functional zones: an insertion region with a larger cross-section for easy contact member insertion, and a retention region with a smaller cross-section that provides frictional retention. This segmentation eliminates the need for latching hooks while maintaining secure retention through friction alone.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a latching mechanism that requires complex assembly steps, the invention inverts the approach by using a friction-based retention system where the contact member is retained passively through the geometry of the receiving opening. The retention is achieved through the fit between the contact member and the tapered receiving opening rather than active locking components.
2Reliability
If additional locking mechanisms are used to secure cables in the retaining block, then the contact members can be firmly fixed, but the manufacturing complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving opening is segmented into an insertion region and a retention region with different cross-sectional dimensions. This geometric segmentation provides both easy insertion and secure retention without requiring additional locking mechanisms, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving opening's geometry itself provides the retention function through friction between the contact member and the opening walls. The structure serves its own retention purpose without needing separate locking components, reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable fixation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the receiving opening has a uniform cross-section, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the retention of contact members is less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving opening employs a tapered geometry with distinct insertion and retention regions. The insertion region has a larger cross-section for easy contact member introduction, while the retention region has a smaller cross-section that creates frictional retention. This segmentation optimizes both retention effectiveness and manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional dimensions of the receiving opening are varied along its length, transitioning from a larger insertion region to a smaller retention region. This parameter change in geometry provides effective friction-based retention while remaining manufacturable through standard machining or molding processes.
4Reliability
If the mating face is made larger to accommodate multiple contact members, then the contact members can be properly retained, but the overall size of the plug insert increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered receiving opening design allows for compact arrangement of multiple contact members by providing dedicated insertion and retention zones within a small volume. This segmentation enables efficient space utilization on the mating face while maintaining reliable friction-based retention for each contact member.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention function is achieved by utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the receiving opening rather than requiring increased lateral space. The tapered geometry along the length of the opening provides retention through friction, allowing the mating face to remain compact while still securing multiple contact members effectively.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a retaining block (121) for a modular plug insert (109), consisting of a retaining block member (1) with a plug-end covering surface (5), a cable-end covering surface (3), as well as an outside contour (7) which surrounds the covering surfaces (3, 5). Furthermore, the invention relates to a modular plug insert (109) with a retaining block (121) comprising a retaining block member (1) with a plug-end covering surface (5), a cable-end covering surface (3), as well as an outside contour (7) which surrounds the covering surfaces (3, 5), and with at least one contact member (93) defining a plug-in direction (S) by means of its longitudinal expansion. In order to achieve a simple and compact structure of the retaining block (121), according to the invention, at least one receiving opening (9) for receiving a contact member (93) is provided, the receiving opening extending from the plug-end (5) to the cable-end covering surface (3) and opening out into the outside contour (7) of the retaining block member (1). Compact realisation of the modular plug insert (109) with a subsequent plug arrangement which is as small as possible is enabled according to the invention in that a retaining block (1) according to the invention is utilised, wherein the contact member (93) can be introduced into the at least one receiving opening (9) along, in each case, a receiving direction (A) directed transverse to the plug-in direction (S).