Spring Element Electrical Plug Connector Latching Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical plug connections in moving devices like motor vehicles often fail to ensure secure latching due to mechanical intermediate positions, leading to electrical contact loss and safety issues, and existing solutions are economically disadvantageous or complex.
Innovation Solution
A spring element is integrally formed on one plug connection part and a counter-element on the other, exerting mechanical resistance to prevent intermediate positions, allowing for electrical detection of complete latching and eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional locking elements, slides or locking devices are used to secure plug connections, then the reliability of electrical contact is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is integrally formed with one of the connector parts, and the counter-element is integrally formed with the other connector part. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate locking devices while maintaining reliable electrical contact through the spring-loaded engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically exerts force to ensure complete engagement of the connector parts without requiring external locking mechanisms or additional assembly steps. The self-service nature of the spring-loaded system improves reliability while reducing structural complexity.
2Reliability
If additional locking mechanisms are added to prevent intermediate positions, then the reliability of latching is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element and counter-element are designed as integral parts of the connector components, allowing them to be manufactured in one piece rather than requiring separate assembly of multiple locking parts. This simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring reliable latching through the spring-loaded engagement.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical intermediate positions are allowed in plug connections, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of electrical contact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded to exert force that actively prevents the connector parts from settling into mechanical intermediate positions. This preliminary anti-action ensures that the spring continuously pushes the parts into complete engagement, maintaining reliable electrical contact while allowing easy insertion operation.
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
This solution enables simple and cost-effective detection of complete latching, enhancing the functional reliability of electrical connections in motor vehicles by ensuring secure electrical contact without additional assembly steps or complex equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element, on which a force counter to a plug-in direction of the two plug-in connection parts acts
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~9
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical connector (100, 200) with two connector parts (101, 102, 201, 202) that can be joined together and snapped into one another, wherein the two connector parts can be detachably connected in a snap-fit connection via locking elements (108, 113, 208, 213), characterized by at least one spring element (110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 210) that is directly molded onto one of the two connector parts or arranged as an attachment and that acts resiliently against the snap-fit connection between the two connector parts. The invention is particularly advantageous for use in moving devices, objects, and equipment, especially in motor vehicles and their electronic components. The invention therefore further relates to a motor vehicle or a lighting device for a motor vehicle comprising at least one electrical connector (100, 200) according to the invention.