Rotatable Multi-Pole Plug Connector for Refrigerated Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-pole plug devices lack flexibility and safety in adapting to different electrical operating parameters, particularly in refrigerated containers where standard connectors may not match the required voltage and frequency, leading to potential overvoltage hazards and compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A multi-pole plug device with a turning device allowing the positions of two contact elements to be swapped, where one is connected to an outer conductor and the other to a protective conductor, ensuring compatibility with different standard configurations, and featuring a locking mechanism to prevent actuation during use, thus ensuring safe operation across various voltage and frequency settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard connectors are used without position interchangeability, then manufacturing and operational simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different electrical operating parameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a rotatable contact element assembly that allows dynamic repositioning of contact pins from a first position to a second position. This rotational mechanism enables the same connector to adapt to different electrical operating parameters (e.g., phase sequence changes) without requiring multiple specialized connectors, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design allows a single connector unit to serve multiple functions by enabling position interchangeability of contact elements. The same physical connector can be configured for different electrical parameters through rotation, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated connectors for different phase configurations, thus achieving universality while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If contact elements are made interchangeable in position, then flexibility in adapting to different standards is improved, but safety risks from incorrect configuration worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a locking mechanism that provides feedback to ensure correct positioning of contact elements. The locking device only engages when contact elements are in the proper configured position, preventing incorrect connections. This feedback mechanism maintains safety by ensuring that adaptability actions (rotation) only result in valid, safe configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the rotatable contact elements and the connection process. It mediates the position-changing action by allowing rotation only to predetermined safe positions and preventing engagement unless properly locked, thus ensuring that flexibility in position interchangeability does not compromise operational safety.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent actuation during use, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the existing rotatable contact element assembly rather than being added as a separate complex subsystem. The locking function is integrated into the rotational mechanism itself, using the same structural components to achieve both position changing and position locking, thereby improving safety without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-pole plug device (100), in which the positions of a first contact element (K1) and a second contact element (PE) can be exchanged by means of a turning device (110). The first and the second contact element (K1, PE) can also be different in terms of their plugging compatibility, for example, in that they are configured as contact pins of different diameters. In addition or alternatively, the first contact element (K1) can be connected to an outer conductor and the second contact element (PE) can be connected to a protective conductor or a neutral conductor. The plug device can be, in particular, a four-pole plug (100) and configured in such a way that the first and the second contact pin (K1, PE) can adopt the positions 3h and 6h (or vice versa) in relation to a major keyway (105). In accordance with DIN Standard EN 60309 – 2, two electrically similar configurations can be achieved in this way.