Transverse Securing Element for Miniature Plug Connector Tensile Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Miniaturized electrical plug-type connectors with small structural size and line cross-sections face inadequate tensile strength, leading to potential separation of the contact housing from the outer housing during connection release.

Innovation Solution

A securing element is inserted transversely through a shaft in the contact housing, enhancing the tensile strength by creating a positive-locking connection between the outer and contact housings, which can also function as a contact-securing member, and may include securing tabs and undercuts for additional stability and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If miniaturized plug-type connectors are used to reduce structural size, then compactness is improved, but tensile strength deteriorates leading to potential separation of contact housing from outer housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural sizeVSAvoidtensile strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element merges multiple functions: it acts as both a connection element between outer housing and contact housing, and as a contact-securing member. This integration strengthens the overall structure without adding separate components, thereby improving tensile strength while maintaining miniaturized dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing element is inserted in advance through the shaft before final assembly, creating a preliminary positive-locking connection. This preliminary action ensures that the contact housing and outer housing are pre-secured, preventing separation during subsequent connection release operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a separate securing mechanism is added to increase tensile strength, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element combines the function of housing connection with contact securing into a single component. This merging approach increases connection reliability through a robust positive-locking mechanism while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from adding a separate securing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing element serves multiple purposes: it connects the outer housing to the contact housing, secures contacts in their receptacles, and provides a positive-locking connection. This multi-functionality improves reliability without increasing device complexity, as one element performs multiple critical functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3513463B1Arrangement for an electrical plug-type connector and plug-type connector having a contact housing, outer housing and securing element
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3513463B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3513463B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3513463B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for an electrical plug-type connector (2) which can be assembled with a mating connector (6) in an insertion direction (4). The arrangement and the plug-type connector having the arrangement have an outer housing (8) and a separate contact housing (10) which can be secured in the outer housing and which has at least one contact receptacle (12) for receiving at least one electrical contact. In order to provide a connection with great tensile strength, in particular in the case of small connectors having a length of only a few centimetres, between the outer housing and the contact housing, the arrangement has a securing element (14) for the positive-locking connection of the outer housing and the contact housing. The securing element can be inserted in at least one shaft (18) in a push-in direction (16) which runs transversely relative to the insertion direction. The shaft extends through the outer housing and the contact housing. Preferably, at least one securing tab (46) having at least one recess (48) is provided on the contact housing (10) and/or the outer housing(8). The at least one recess (48) in particular forms a portion of the shaft (18) in this instance.