Vehicle Plug Socket Water Tightness Sealing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plug-and-socket connections for trailers and tow vehicles face issues with water tightness, particularly when the socket cover is closed without a plug inserted, leading to potential water ingress and humidity, and lack adequate protection for the circular sealing mechanism.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a plug with a radial protrusion that secures the plug in place using a pawl from the socket cover, and a hinged socket cover with a circular sealing mechanism that provides a double seal effect when closed, ensuring water tightness and protecting the sealing components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the socket cover is closed without a plug inserted, then the circular sealing provides water tightness, but the sealing mechanism lacks protection and water can ingress into the socket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater tightnessVSAvoidwater ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The socket cover is designed with a preliminary sealing action that engages the circular sealing with the plug's sealing surface before the plug is fully inserted. This preliminary contact establishes water tightness in advance, preventing water ingress even during the insertion process or when the cover is closed without a plug fully seated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The circular sealing in the socket cover acts as a protective barrier that is already in place before plug insertion. This pre-positioned sealing mechanism cushions against potential water ingress, ensuring that even if the plug is not perfectly aligned or fully inserted, the sealing provides immediate protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the plug protrusion engages with the pawl for securing, then the plug is locked in place, but the socket cover structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug securingVSAvoidsocket cover structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pawl for engaging the plug protrusion is integrated directly into the socket cover structure, merging the securing function with the cover itself. This eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable plug securing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The socket cover serves multiple functions: it protects the internal components, provides the circular sealing for water tightness, and incorporates the pawl mechanism for plug securing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9819115B2Plug and socket for electrical plug-and-socket connection

Publication Date: 2017.11.14 ERICH JAEGER GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A plug for an electrical plug-and-socket connection comprising a plug body having plug contacts embedded in the plug body. The contacts being connectable with wires leading to the electrical circuit of a vehicle. The plug including one or more plug openings in a front face of the plug body surrounding the plug contacts for inserting contacts of a socket into the one or more plug openings providing an electrical connection between the contacts of the socket and the plug contacts. A plug protrusion extending from the plug body and placed such that a pawl protruding form an inner surface of a socket cover engages behind the plug protrusion when the plug is inserted into a plug-in opening of the socket.