Switching Plug Connector Bridging for Rewiring-Free Device Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switching plug connector systems require manual rewiring and high personnel effort when electrical devices are added or removed from a network, leading to potential faults and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An electrical switching plug connector system with a device plug connector and a cable mating connector, featuring a conductive switching bridge that maintains connections between mating contacts in the unmated state, allowing devices to be added or removed without rewiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual rewiring is performed when devices are added or removed from the network, then the electrical connection can be maintained, but the manual effort and personnel costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system automatically maintains electrical connections through the switching bridge that self-activates when a device plug is removed. The bridging contact elements automatically connect the cable terminals without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-service capable for maintaining network connectivity during device changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching bridge and bridging contact elements are pre-configured within the connector housing to automatically establish alternative electrical paths. This preliminary arrangement of conductive elements ensures that when a device is removed, the connection is already prepared to be maintained through the bridging mechanism without requiring reactive rewiring.
2Ease of operation
If the switching bridge connects mating contacts in the unmated state, then device removal is simplified, but the device terminals and cable terminals may be at different potentials causing short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The switching bridge is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and electrical connection state. It can be moved to a first position where it connects cable terminals for automatic reconnection, or to a second position where it disconnects to prevent short circuits when device terminals are at different potentials. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and short circuit prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary checks and preparations through the movable switching bridge mechanism. Before establishing connections, the bridge can be positioned to ensure potential compatibility, and the system prepares alternative connection paths in advance while maintaining safety by preventing premature connections that could cause short circuits.
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
Enables seamless integration and removal of electrical devices within a network without rewiring, reducing manual effort and potential faults, and facilitating flexible network expansion.
Implementation Method 1
the switching bridge is at least partially arranged in or on the cable mating connector housing of the cable mating connector, in order to electrically connect two of the mating contacts of the cable mating connector to one another in an electrically conductive manner when in the unmated state
Data Source
AI summary
To reduce the manual effort and/or staffing involvement required in order to remove an electrical device (41) from an electrically wired device network (41, 42, 43) and/or to insert it therein, it is proposed that switching bridges (33) should be arranged in or on the cable mating connector housing (14) of a cable mating connector (1′).