Vibration-Attenuating Connector With Oscillation Absorber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connectors face issues with water ingress and mechanical shock or vibrations disrupting plug-in connections, especially in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a casing with a receptacle seal and an oscillation absorber, including de-aeration openings, which creates a free volume to prevent liquid ingress and absorb vibrations while maintaining plug-in functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connector is used in a harsh environment, then it may be exposed to water or other substances that can penetrate and disrupt plug-in connection, but adding sealing structures increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a receptacle seal in the form of a flexible membrane that can deform under pressure. This thin film structure provides effective sealing against water and other substances while maintaining a relatively simple overall design. The flexible nature of the seal allows it to adapt to pressure changes during plugging and unplugging operations without requiring complex mechanical sealing mechanisms.
2Reliability
If mechanical shock or vibrations are present, then plug-in connection is disrupted, but adding vibration damping structures increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an oscillation absorber positioned behind the receptacle seal that acts as a pre-positioned vibration damping element. This component absorbs mechanical shocks and vibrations before they can reach and disrupt the plug-in connection. The oscillation absorber is integrated into the existing structure rather than adding separate damping mechanisms, thus providing vibration protection without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If a receptacle seal is added to prevent liquid ingress, then sealing performance improves, but the plug-in force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle seal is designed as a flexible membrane that can elastically deform during the plugging process. This flexibility allows the seal to be compressed between the connector and oscillation absorber without requiring excessive plug-in force. The thin film structure provides effective liquid sealing while maintaining low insertion forces through its inherent elastic properties.
4Reliability
If an oscillation absorber is positioned close to the receptacle seal, then vibration absorption is more effective, but liquid may penetrate through the gap between them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the oscillation absorber at a controlled distance from the receptacle seal, creating a free volume between them. This intermediate space serves as a barrier to liquid penetration while the oscillation absorber continues to effectively dampen vibrations. The de-aeration opening in the oscillation absorber allows pressure equalization to prevent liquid ingress through the free volume, thus maintaining both vibration absorption effectiveness and liquid sealing.
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
The design effectively seals against liquids and absorbs vibrations, ensuring reliable plug-in connections even in harsh conditions by using a combination of a receptacle seal and oscillation absorber with de-aeration openings.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillation absorber disposed at a distance from the receptacle seal in the plug-in direction... A free volume extends between the receptacle seal and the oscillation absorber in the plug-in direction
Implementation Method 2
the oscillation absorber has a de-aeration opening extending through the oscillation absorber in the plug-in direction
Implementation Method 3
The receptacle seal is disposed on the receptacle outer wall... effectively seals against liquids
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for plugging together with a counter-connector in a plug-in direction comprises a casing, a receptacle seal, and an oscillation absorber. The casing has a contact receptacle receiving a contact. The contact receptacle has a receptacle outer wall. The receptacle seal is disposed on the receptacle outer wall. The oscillation absorber is disposed at a distance from the receptacle seal in the plug-in direction and has a de-aeration opening extending through the oscillation absorber in the plug-in direction. A free volume extends between the receptacle seal and the oscillation absorber in the plug-in direction.