Rotatable Touch Protection Cover for Tolerance-Free Connector Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch protection covers for electrical module connectors often obstruct the assembly process or require external forces to compensate for assembly and position tolerances, making the installation more difficult.
Innovation Solution
An electrically insulating touch protection cover with two protective housings featuring latching positive-fit elements that allow for relative rotatability, enabling pre-positioning without external forces and facilitating force-free compensation of assembly and position tolerances during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional touch protection covers are used, then touch protection is provided, but assembly is obstructed and requires external forces to compensate for tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with a dynamic plugging direction that allows rotational movement during assembly. The positive-fit elements can rotate relative to each other, enabling the connection to adapt to assembly tolerances dynamically rather than requiring external forcing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of rotational freedom from fixed to variable. The collar allows rotation within a predetermined angular range during assembly, then stabilizes in the latched state, accommodating tolerance variations through parameter adjustment
2Ease of operation
If external forces are applied to compensate for assembly tolerances, then connection is achieved, but stress is imposed on components
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic rotational capability of the positive-fit elements during assembly allows tolerance compensation without external forces. The system adapts its orientation to match components, eliminating the need for forcing and reducing stress on connection members and current conductors
Solution Approach 2:
The collar assembly performs self-alignment through its inherent rotational freedom. The positive-fit elements automatically adjust their relative orientation to accommodate tolerances, making the assembly process self-compensating rather than requiring external intervention
3Manufacturing precision
If stationary pre-positioning is provided without rotatability, then positioning is achieved, but tolerance compensation requires external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines stationary pre-positioning capability with dynamic rotational freedom. The positive-fit elements can latch in position for precise pre-positioning, then rotate within a predetermined angular range to compensate for tolerances, eliminating the need for external forces
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically insulating touch protection cover for an electrical module connector with two connection members connecting two current conductors in a conductive manner, wherein the touch protection cover includes two protective housings, one for each of the two connection members, that can be plugged together along a plugging direction, wherein one of the two protective housings comprises an inner collar and the other of the two protective housings comprises an outer collar that is configured to receive at least in part the inner collar, wherein the inner collar comprises at least one positive-fit element and the outer collar comprises at least one positive-fit element that is complementary thereto, wherein the positive-fit elements are configured to latch in the plugging direction, and wherein the inner collar and the outer collar are configured to be rotatable relative to each other in a latched state of the positive-fit elements.