Adjustable Spring Contact Device for Variable Conductor Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contacting devices for electrical conductors and pin contacts have a fixed contacting force, which is inconvenient for multiple connections and varies with conductor cross-sections, making insertion and detachment forces inconsistent and difficult.
Innovation Solution
A contacting device with a spring contact element and a sliding element that adjusts the spring force, allowing for variable contacting forces by altering the length of the spring contact element, enabling adjustable insertion and holding forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spring element with fixed geometry and material properties is used to clamp electrical conductors, then the device structure is simple, but the contacting force cannot be adjusted and varies with conductor cross-section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the spring element's effective length adjustable through a movable contact surface on the insulating body. The contact surface can be positioned at different locations along the spring element's length, dynamically changing the spring's effective length and thus the contacting force. This allows the same spring element to adapt to different conductor cross-sections and provide appropriate clamping force without requiring multiple different spring elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by altering the geometric parameter of the spring element's effective length to change the contacting force. By moving the contact surface along the spring element, the effective length parameter is changed, which directly modifies the spring constant and the resulting clamping force. This enables continuous adjustment of the contacting force to match different conductor sizes and requirements.
2Ease of operation
If a spring element with fixed spring force is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the insertion force is high and detachment requires great force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the spring force to be dynamically adjusted during operation. The movable contact surface on the insulating body allows the user to reposition the contact point along the spring element, thereby changing the spring's effective length and the resulting force characteristics. This dynamic adjustment capability allows optimization of both insertion force (by increasing effective length) and holding force (by decreasing effective length) as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by allowing the spring element's effective length parameter to be modified during operation. By changing this geometric parameter, the spring constant and force characteristics are altered, enabling the system to transition between low-force insertion mode and high-force holding mode, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
3Reliability
If the spring force is increased to ensure reliable contact, then the holding force is sufficient, but the insertion force becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the spring force adjustable rather than fixed. The movable contact surface allows the user to set the contact point at different positions along the spring element, dynamically adjusting the spring's effective length and force output. During insertion, the contact surface can be positioned to maximize effective length and minimize insertion force, while after connection, it can be repositioned to optimize holding force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by enabling modification of the spring element's effective length parameter to control the force characteristics. By changing this parameter, the system can achieve low insertion force (longer effective length) while maintaining sufficient holding force (shorter effective length), thus resolving the contradiction between these two force requirements.
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
Enables reduced insertion forces and increased holding forces, ensuring reliable electrical contact with adjustable forces for different conductor cross-sections and easy release, improving the usability and reliability of the contacting device.
Implementation Method 1
The spring contact element (11) consists essentially of a fixed end (13) and a free end (12). The free end (12) is provided for contacting and clamping an electrical conductor or pin contact (8) to be inserted. The spring contact element (11) braces itself in the contact chamber (3).
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention proposes a contact-making device (1) for electrical conductors or pin contacts (8). Reversible electrical and mechanical contact is made with said conductors or pin contacts (8) by means of such contact-making devices (1). In the present invention, the spring force which acts on a conductor or pin contact (8) to be connected is variably adjustable. For this purpose, the free, resilient length of a spring contact element (11) is varied by means of a sliding element (20). By varying the resilient length of the spring contact element (11), the spring force is increased on shortening and correspondingly reduced on lengthening.