Actuating Lever Pivot Bearing Kinematics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connection terminals require significant space for pivot bearings and often rely on fixed rotational axes, limiting the kinematic efficiency and requiring additional latching elements to maintain the actuating lever in the open position.

Innovation Solution

The use of an elongated hole with a curved path and a long pin, where the long pin is in contact with the boundary walls at multiple points, preventing pure rotation and allowing for translational movement, thereby optimizing kinematics and reducing space requirements while maintaining the actuating lever in the open position without additional latching elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed rotational axis pivot bearing is used for the actuating lever, then the pivot bearing provides stable rotational support, but it requires significant space and limits kinematic efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable rotational supportVSAvoidspace requirement for pivot bearing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a fixed rotational axis pivot bearing to a dynamic pivot point that moves along a curved path. The actuating lever is supported by a pivot bearing that allows the pivot point to migrate during operation, enabling the lever to achieve both rotational and translational movement. This dynamic support mechanism reduces the space requirement while maintaining stability through controlled movement along a predefined curved trajectory.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a curved path constraint that adds a translational dimension to the traditionally purely rotational pivot bearing. By allowing the pivot point to move along a curved path in addition to rotating, the system achieves more efficient kinematics with reduced space requirements, transforming a two-degree-of-freedom problem into a constrained one-degree-of-freedom motion along a predetermined curve.

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

2Reliability

If additional latching elements are added to maintain the actuating lever in the open position, then the lever can be reliably held open against spring force, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelever positioning stabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating lever system is designed to maintain its own position through the mechanical properties of the curved path pivot bearing and the spring force itself. The lever naturally stays in the open position due to the geometry of the curved path and the balanced forces, eliminating the need for additional latching elements or active control mechanisms to hold the position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the pivot bearing from a fixed rotational axis to a moving pivot point on a curved path. This parameter change allows the system to use the spring force and geometric constraints to maintain lever position, replacing the need for additional latching components with a fundamentally different mechanical approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the pivot point is fixed on the surface of the pivot bearing, then the actuating lever rotates about a defined axis, but the conversion of actuating force to deflection force is less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefined rotational axisVSAvoidforce conversion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot point is made dynamic by allowing it to move along a curved path during actuation. This dynamic pivot point enables more efficient force conversion by optimizing the moment arm and force transmission throughout the range of motion, while the curved path constraint maintains sufficient rotational definition for controlled operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The curved path of the pivot bearing introduces a geometric curvature that optimizes the force transmission. The curved trajectory allows the actuating lever to maintain better mechanical advantage throughout its motion, improving the conversion efficiency from actuating force to deflection force while preserving a defined axis of rotation through the curved constraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This design enhances the conversion of actuating force into a deflection force for opening the clamping spring, providing a compact structure with improved kinematics and ensuring the actuating lever remains open even under clamping spring force, without the need for additional latching elements.

Implementation Method 1

a spring-loaded terminal connection, which is formed from a busbar piece (4) and a clamping spring (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

enhances the conversion of actuating force into a deflection force for opening the clamping spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3038212B1Connection terminal
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 WAGO VERW GMBH
  • EP3038212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3038212B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3038212B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal block (1) for clamping an electrical conductor is described, comprising: - an insulating housing (2) having at least one conductor entry opening (13) leading to a spring-loaded clamping terminal (3); - at least one spring-loaded clamping terminal (3) in the insulating housing (2), formed from a busbar section (4) and a clamping spring (5); - at least one actuating lever (10) pivotally mounted in the insulating housing (2) by means of a pivot bearing (11), and designed to open a clamping point formed by the clamping spring (5) and the busbar section (4). The pivot bearing (11) is formed by an elongated hole (20) in the insulating housing (2) having a curved path shape and an elongated pin (19) of the actuating lever (10) that engages in the elongated hole (20).The elongated pin (19) has a greater length than its width and the length of the elongated pin (19) is greater than the corresponding width of the elongated hole (20) in every pivot position of the actuating lever (19).