Segmented Housing Protection Device for Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern electronic devices require a miniaturized protective device for connectors that can provide robust protection against dust, moisture, and accidental contact, especially in confined spaces, while ensuring a secure and irreversible connection to prevent damage and contact errors.

Innovation Solution

A protective device comprising two housing elements that are coupled to encase a plug connector and cable, with a sealing element injected between them to form a cohesive, materially bonded connection, ensuring a moisture-tight seal according to IP67 standards and preventing separation without damaging components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a protective device is miniaturized to fit confined spaces, then the device size is reduced, but the protection reliability and sealing effectiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective device sizeVSAvoidprotection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is divided into two separate housing elements that can be coupled together. This segmentation allows for compact individual components that can be assembled in confined spaces while maintaining effective sealing through the interface between the two elements. The first housing element accommodates the plug connector and the second housing element accommodates the cable, with both elements working together to provide comprehensive protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested structure where the first housing element and second housing element are coupled together to form a compact assembly. The plug connector is nested within the first housing element, and the cable is nested within the second housing element. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization while maintaining protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If a secure and irreversible connection is implemented to prevent damage, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is segmented into two housing elements that can be separately assembled. This segmentation enables a simple coupling mechanism where the first housing element and second housing element can be easily joined together to form a secure connection. The modular design allows for straightforward assembly while maintaining strong connection strength through the coupling interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two housing elements are merged through a coupling mechanism that provides both ease of assembly and strong connection. The coupling design allows the first housing element and second housing element to be joined together in a simple manner while creating a secure, irreversible connection that prevents damage to the plug connector and cable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a cohesive material connection is used to seal housing elements, then the protection against dust and moisture is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust and moisture protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged into the coupling mechanism between the first housing element and second housing element. The sealing element is integrated with the coupling process, so that when the two housing elements are coupled together, the sealing element automatically forms a cohesive material connection. This integration provides effective dust and moisture protection without adding separate sealing components or complex sealing procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element performs self-service by automatically forming a cohesive connection between the housing elements during the coupling process. The sealing mechanism is designed to work autonomously with the coupling action, creating an effective seal against dust and moisture without requiring additional sealing steps or complex sealing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If two housing elements are coupled and inseparably connected, then the protection robustness is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection robustnessVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is segmented into two housing elements that can be manufactured separately using standard manufacturing processes. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing of individual components while the coupling mechanism provides a straightforward assembly process. The first housing element and second housing element can be produced independently and then coupled together to form the complete protective device with robust protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism merges the two housing elements into a single robust assembly through a simple connection process. This merging approach allows for easy manufacture of individual components while creating a strong, inseparable connection when assembled. The coupling design enables straightforward manufacturing and assembly without requiring complex joining processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a robust, secure, and moisture-tight protective device that prevents dust and moisture ingress, ensuring the connector and cable remain protected and securely connected, even in harsh environments, while allowing for easy assembly and operation in restricted spaces.

Implementation Method 1

The first housing element, the second housing element and the cable are cohesively connected to one another by a sealing element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2658038B1Protection device and method for manufacturing a protection device
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 YAMAICHI ELECTRONICS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP2658038B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2658038B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2658038B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device has a housing element (30) coupled with another housing element (40). The former housing element partially accommodates a plug connector (10). The latter housing element partially accommodates a cable (20). The housing elements and the cable are firmly connected with each other by a sealing element (50). The sealing element is partially injected into a cavity that is formed between the former housing element, the latter housing element and the cable. The sealing element is made of elastic polymer. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a protection device for a plug connector.