Spring-Loaded Housing Connector to Eliminate Play and Rattle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for housing parts often result in play, causing rattling during vibrations, and may release when retention force is exceeded, necessitating a secure and permanent connection without play.
Innovation Solution
A connector system featuring a first snap-on element and catch element, supported by a spring element, forming a force-locked and form-locked connection, with an additional snap-on and catch element pair to prevent separation, using a U-shaped and E-shaped configuration of spring elements and ramp shapes to ensure secure engagement and prevent rattling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a form-locked connection is used to join housing parts, then the connection is simple and easy to manufacture, but the housing parts have play and rattle during vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a spring element that enables dynamic adaptation to manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations. The spring element deflects during assembly to allow the snap-on element to engage the catch element, then restores to maintain constant contact pressure, eliminating play while accommodating dimensional variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as an intermediary between the snap-on element and the catch element, mediating the force transmission. It converts the assembly force into a sustained restoring force that maintains the form-locked connection without play, resolving the contradiction between simple connection and stability.
2Productivity
If a form-locked connection is used to join housing parts, then the assembly process is simple and rapid, but the connection may release when retention force is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides dynamic force adaptation, maintaining constant retention force on the catch element regardless of assembly variations or external loads. This ensures reliable connection while keeping the assembly process simple and rapid.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-loaded to provide a cushioning restoring force that compensates for external forces attempting to exceed the retention force. This beforehand cushioning ensures the connection remains reliable even under varying load conditions.
3Ease of operation
If a snap-on element is slid over a catch element during assembly, then the connection is easy to assemble, but manufacturing tolerances cause misalignment and assembly difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element changes its physical state from compressed to restored during assembly, adapting to manufacturing tolerances. The ramp-shaped catch element surface changes the force direction during engagement, guiding the snap-on element into proper alignment despite dimensional variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic deflection of the spring element during assembly accommodates manufacturing tolerances, allowing the snap-on element to engage the catch element smoothly without requiring high manufacturing precision, while still achieving proper alignment.
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 connector system provides a secure, permanent, and vibration-resistant connection, preventing movement between housing parts while allowing separation only with a tool, thus enhancing assembly feedback and manufacturing tolerance compensation.
Implementation Method 1
amid deflection of the at least one spring element; the catch element and the snap-on element subsequently being joined in a form-locked and force-locked manner, supported by a restoring force of the at least one spring element
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for joining two housing parts. A first connector part is formed to be situated on a first housing part. A second connector part is formed to be situated on a second housing part. The first connector part includes at least one spring element, a first snap-on element, and a second snap-on element. The second connector part has a first and second catch element). The first catch element and the first snap-on element are interconnected in a form-locked and force-locked manner, supported by a restoring force of the at least one spring element. The second snap-on element and the second catch element are shaped in such a manner, that in response to a movement of the first connector part and the second connector part apart from each other, a form-locked connection is formed, which prevents the second snap-on element from sliding back over the second catch element.