Rotatable Coding Elements for Self-Aligning Plug Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coded plug connections require multiple attempts to align the coding elements correctly, making the coupling process time-consuming and laborious, especially when dealing with multiple connections, and are prone to incorrect insertions.
Innovation Solution
A plug connection design featuring a rotatable first coding element on the plug connector and/or a rotatable second coding element on the insertion location, equipped with a self-alignment mechanism that automatically aligns the coding elements during insertion, eliminating the need for extensive rotational adjustments of the plug connector or insertion location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coded plug connections are used with fixed coding elements, then reliability of preventing incorrect coupling is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple plugging attempts required
Solution Approach 1:
The coding elements are made rotatable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position during the plugging process. The first coding element on the plug connector and the second coding element on the insertion location can rotate relative to each other to achieve correct alignment, transforming a static matching problem into a dynamic self-alignment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug connection system performs self-alignment through the rotatable coding elements that automatically find their correct relative position during insertion. The mechanism serves itself by using the insertion motion to drive the rotation and alignment of coding elements, eliminating the need for manual rotational adjustment by the operator.
2Reliability
If multiple plugging attempts are made to align coding elements, then reliability of correct coupling is improved, but loss of time increases due to repeated operations
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable coding elements enable a dynamic alignment process where the coding elements can rotate during a single insertion attempt to achieve correct positioning. This eliminates the need for multiple static plugging attempts, reducing coupling time while maintaining reliability through the self-aligning mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable coding elements are designed to automatically initiate alignment at the beginning of the plugging process. The rotation and alignment actions occur preliminarily during insertion, ensuring correct positioning is achieved before the connection is finalized, preventing the need for corrective re-attempts.
3Device complexity
If fixed coding elements are used on plug connector and insertion location, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to self-align
Solution Approach 1:
The coding elements are designed with rotational freedom, adding a degree of motion to an otherwise simple structure. This dynamic capability allows the coding elements to self-align during insertion without requiring complex external alignment mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable coding elements perform the alignment function themselves during the plugging operation. Rather than requiring complex external alignment devices or manual adjustment mechanisms, the coding elements automatically find their correct relative position through rotation, keeping the overall device complexity low while enabling self-alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connection having: a plug connector with, arranged thereon, a first coding element with a coding pattern and an insertion location with, arranged thereon, a second coding element with a coding pattern that matches the coding pattern, wherein the plug connector can be inserted, in an insertion direction (S), into the insertion location as far as a coupling position, when the first coding element and the second coding element adopt a predefined relative position. The first coding element can be rotated on the plug connector about an axis of rotation (A) that runs parallel to the insertion direction (S), and/or the second coding element is held on the insertion location so as to be able to rotate about the axis of rotation (A).