Bus Element Contact Element With Differential Thickness Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical contact elements for mounting rail bus systems require a balance between resilience and structural integrity, as they need to accommodate circuit boards while minimizing installation space and preventing bending or breaking.
Innovation Solution
The contact element features a contact body with a first thickness and contact legs of a second, smaller thickness, allowing for increased resilience and reliable electrical contact by elastically deforming to accommodate mating elements without plastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the contact element is designed to extend in a planar manner along an extension plane to minimize installation space, then the installation space in the normal direction is reduced, but the contact legs must be sufficiently resilient to move aside and provide pressure force without bending or breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element features a differentiated thickness design where the contact body has a first thickness and the contact legs have a second, smaller thickness. This local variation in geometric properties allows the contact legs to be more resilient and flexible for accommodating circuit boards, while the thicker contact body maintains overall structural integrity and resistance to bending or breaking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the contact legs are made thinner to increase resilience, then the ability to elastically deform and accommodate circuit boards is improved, but the risk of plastic bending or breaking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element features a differentiated thickness design where the contact body has a first thickness and the contact legs have a second, smaller thickness. This local variation in geometric properties allows the contact legs to be more resilient and flexible for accommodating circuit boards, while the thicker contact body maintains overall structural integrity and resistance to bending or breaking.
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 ensures reliable electrical contact with increased resilience and reduced risk of damage, while minimizing installation space, allowing for efficient modular assembly of electronic devices on mounting rails.
Implementation Method 1
the contact legs can move aside in a suitable manner and can provide a sufficient pressure force for establishing electrical contact when the circuit board has been placed on... the contact legs are sufficiently resilient that, when a circuit board is placed on the contact element, the contact legs can move aside in a suitable manner and can provide a sufficient pressure force for establishing electrical contact
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical contact element for a bus element of a mounting rail bus system includes: a contact body that extends in an areal manner along an extension plane; and at least one contact leg that is arranged on the contact body and extends along the extension plane. When measured perpendicularly to the extension plane, the contact body has a first thickness and the at least one contact leg has a second thickness that is smaller than the first thickness.