Vehicle Electrical Device Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical device connection arrangements in motor vehicles face challenges in achieving both external and internal locking mechanisms within a compact design, with external locking providing tightness but increasing width and internal locking compromising on tightness.
Innovation Solution
The electrical device incorporates fixing or locking elements arranged both inside and outside the connection area, allowing for universal use with different connector plugs, with elements designed to interact differently for external and internal locking, and being integrally formed on the wall area for reduced width and enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external locking is used with locking elements arranged outside the wall area, then tightness and sealing are improved, but the width of the connection arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into multiple locking elements distributed at different positions (inside and outside the wall area). This segmentation allows the connection arrangement to achieve both tightness (through external locking elements) and compact width (through internal locking elements) simultaneously by dividing the locking function across multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the connector are assigned different locking functions: external locking elements are placed in specific locations to provide sealing and tightness, while internal locking elements are positioned to maintain compact dimensions. This local differentiation of locking qualities resolves the contradiction between tightness and width.
2Length of moving object
If internal locking is used with locking elements arranged within the wall area, then width is reduced, but tightness and sealing are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into internal and external locking elements. The internal locking elements maintain compact width by being positioned within the wall area, while external locking elements are added in specific regions to compensate for the reduced sealing capability, thus maintaining overall tightness without increasing overall width excessively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines both internal and external locking elements into a single hybrid locking system. This merging of locking approaches allows the connection arrangement to achieve both compact dimensions (from internal locking) and adequate tightness (from external locking), resolving the contradiction between width and sealing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If different connector plugs are used for external and internal locking, then locking performance is optimized, but device complexity and versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body is designed with universal adaptability to accommodate both external and internal locking connector plugs. The locking elements are configured to interact with different plug types, allowing a single electrical device to work with multiple connector variants. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between optimized locking performance and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system is designed to be dynamically adaptable, where the same locking elements can engage with different connector plug configurations. This dynamic capability allows the system to switch between external and internal locking modes depending on the connector type, maintaining both optimized locking performance and universal compatibility.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical device (1), in particular a switching or control device for a motor vehicle, having a housing (12) which has a connection region (10) for electrically contacting the housing (12) to a connection plug (30; 30a), wherein the connection region (10) comprises at least one receptacle contour (22, 23) having a circumferential wall region (14, 15) for the connection plug (30; 30a), wherein the wall region (14, 15) encloses electrical connection elements (13) and wherein there is a fastening or locking element (25, 26) in the connection region (10) which is designed to connect the connection plug (30; 30a) to the housing (12) in the connection region (10). According to the invention, at least one fastening or locking element (25, 26) is arranged both inside and outside the wall region (14, 15).