Cable Terminal Receptacle Layout for Modular Electrical Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical cable terminals lack flexibility and versatility in mounting options, requiring specific production adaptations for each application, which is time-consuming and costly due to limited usability with dedicated systems.
Innovation Solution
A terminal design with a housing featuring receptacles for components that can be selectively attached to fulfill various functions, including disconnection, passive, or active elements, allowing for flexible and versatile use by enabling the attachment of different components such as disconnection elements, resistors, or relays, and accommodating both rigid and movable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terminals are designed for specific mounting receptacles in dedicated systems, then mounting stability and system integration are improved, but flexibility of usability and variance of mounting options deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal housing incorporates multiple receptacles with different geometries (first receptacle for round components, second receptacle for square components) that can accommodate various component types. This universal design allows the same terminal to be used across different applications and mounting scenarios, improving flexibility while maintaining stable mounting through geometry-specific receptacles.
2Reliability
If terminals are designed for specific mounting receptacles in dedicated systems, then system integration is improved, but production time and costs increase due to required production adaptations
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal housing is designed as a universal platform with multiple receptacles that can accommodate different component geometries without requiring production adaptations. This single housing design can serve multiple applications by simply changing the inserted components, eliminating the need for dedicated production lines or mold adaptations for each application, thereby reducing production time and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal is segmented into a reusable housing structure and interchangeable components. The housing with its multiple receptacles remains constant, while only the inserted components need to be changed for different applications. This segmentation allows the majority of the terminal structure to be produced once and reused, significantly reducing production time and costs compared to producing entirely custom terminals for each application.
3Reliability
If terminals are designed for specific mounting receptacles in dedicated systems, then dedicated function performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to production adaptations
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal housing incorporates multiple receptacles with different geometries (first receptacle for round components, second receptacle for square components) that can accommodate various component types. This universal design allows the same terminal to be used across different applications and mounting scenarios, improving flexibility while maintaining stable mounting through geometry-specific receptacles.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a terminal (1) for electrical cables (L1, L2), comprising a housing (G) on which are provided at least two connections (A, A1-A6) for electrically connecting in each case one electrical cable (L1, L2) to one connection line (14, 14A-14F) arranged in the housing (G), wherein the connection lines (14, 14A-14F) are electrically disconnected from each other at a disconnection point (X1-X6) between two contacts (K, K1-K6). According to the invention, the housing (G) forms at least one receptacle (R) at which the contacts (K, K1-K6) of the disconnection point (X1-X6) of the connection lines (14, 14A-14F) are arranged such that they can be electrically contacted by a component (13, 18A-18C) which can be attached to the at least one receptacle (R).