Round Plug Connector Shielding for Potting-Tight Strain Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard circular connectors have limited design flexibility due to their basic shape, leading to small conductor cross-sections that are susceptible to axial and tensile stresses, and the application of potting compound is hindered by gaps between shielding and contact carrier elements, risking damage to the connector face.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating radial projections on the shielding element to separate the contact carrier and prevent potting compound from entering gaps, allowing connection-side potting without damaging the connector face, and stabilizing conductors against axial and tensile loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If radial projections are added to the shielding element to prevent potting compound leakage, then connector face damage is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of connector faceVSAvoidstructure of shielding element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding element is segmented with radial projections that divide the potential leakage path into separate zones. These projections act as barriers that segment the gap between the contact carrier and outer housing, preventing potting compound from flowing along the gap to the connector face while maintaining the overall integrity of the shielding element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If conductor cross-section is reduced to fit more contacts in standard circular connectors, then quantity of contacts increases, but conductor strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of contactsVSAvoidconductor strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes the radial dimension by adding projections to the shielding element, creating a three-dimensional barrier structure. This radial dimension provides an additional degree of freedom for controlling potting compound flow without affecting the cross-sectional area available for conductors, thereby maintaining conductor strength while achieving the sealing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If gaps are left between contact carrier elements and shielding element, then ease of assembly is improved, but potting compound can leak and damage connector face

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly of contact carrierVSAvoidprotection from potting compound leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The radial projections on the shielding element act as an intermediary barrier between the gap (which allows easy assembly) and the connector face (which must be protected from potting compound). This intermediary structure permits the gap to remain open for assembly purposes while simultaneously blocking the harmful flow of potting compound toward the connector face.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4409697B1Potting-tight round plug connector
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4409697B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4409697B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4409697B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a round plug connector (1') with a connection side (3), designed to be arranged at one end of an arrangement made up of a plurality of wires, and with a plug side (2), designed to establish a connection with a corresponding mating plug, comprising at least one outer housing part (4) with a preferred longitudinal axis, comprising a multi-part or segmented contact carrier with at least two separate contact-carrier elements (5, 5', 5'') or at least two contact-carrier segments for receiving at least one respective electrical contact (6, 6'), and comprising a shielding element (9). The invention also relates to a method for arranging a round plug connector (1') on an arrangement made up of a plurality of wires, and to a round-plug-connector arrangement comprising an arrangement made up of a plurality of wires and a round plug connector (1').