Swiveling Electrical Plug Housing for Rapid Cable Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional 8-pole RJ-45 plugs require significant force and time to connect cables and are not suitable for repeated connections, while alternative plug types that allow rapid connection have limited space for conductor elements.

Innovation Solution

The plug design features seatings on both sides of the cable end seating with corresponding contact elements on the housing elements, allowing for efficient use of space and enabling simple, rapid cable connection by swiveling the housing elements, which can be locked using detent spring elements and levers for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional 8-pole RJ-45 plugs are used, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but connection requires great force and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The plug housing is divided into two separable parts (first housing element and second housing element) that can be opened and closed like a clamp. This segmentation allows the conductor elements to be inserted easily when the housing is open, and provides reliable connection when closed, eliminating the need for crimping tools and reducing connection time significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional crimping connection is used, then secure cable attachment is achieved, but additional tools and steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable attachment securityVSAvoidconnection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plug housing itself serves as both the container and the connection mechanism. When the two housing elements are closed together, they automatically clamp and secure the cable without requiring separate crimping tools or additional fastening steps. The housing structure performs the securing function inherently, simplifying the connection process to just inserting the cable and closing the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If rapid connection plugs are used, then connection speed is improved, but space for conductor elements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection speedVSAvoidspace for conductor elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by arranging conductor elements in multiple layers and orientations within the plug housing. The swiveling mechanism allows the housing elements to open in a rotational motion that provides access to conductor elements positioned at different depths and angles, maximizing the use of available volume while maintaining rapid connection capability.

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

4Ease of operation

If separate assembly slides are used, then conductor insertion is facilitated, but parts are easily lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor insertion easeVSAvoidloss of separate parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the housing structure and the conductor guidance mechanism into a single integrated unit. The first and second housing elements together form both the protective enclosure and the insertion pathway for conductor elements. This merging eliminates separate assembly slides or guidance components that could be lost, while still providing easy conductor insertion through the integrated housing design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1892801B1Electrical plug
Publication Date: 2009.09.09 TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP1892801B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1892801B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1892801B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Electrical plug (10) with a first and a second housing element (12, 14), which are connected to each other so that they can swivel between an open position and a closed position. A cable end seating (20) is arranged between the first and the second housing element (12, 14). The cable end seating (20) has, on each of two opposite sides, at least one seating (22) for seating a conductor element of a cable to be connected to the plug (10). On the first and second housing elements (12, 14), contact elements (19) are arranged opposite the seatings (20). When the first and second housing elements (12, 14) are in the closed position, the contact elements (19) are connected to the conductor elements in an electrically conducting manner.