Clamping Spring Actuation for Flexible Conductor Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection arrangements for electrical conductors, particularly those with flexible conductors, require cumbersome manual actuation to pivot the clamping spring away from the current bar for insertion and subsequent clamping, increasing assembly time and difficulty.

Innovation Solution

A connection arrangement featuring a housing, conductor connection space, clamping spring with a pivotable clamping leg, and an actuating element that can be latched to hold the open position, allowing for easy insertion and secure clamping of flexible conductors without manual actuation, utilizing a release element to convert the clamping leg from the open to the clamping position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual actuation is required to pivot the clamping spring away from the current bar, then flexible conductors can be inserted, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to connect flexible conductorsVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element is pre-positioned in a latched state that automatically holds the clamping spring in the open position, eliminating the need for manual actuation during assembly. The latching mechanism performs the opening action in advance, allowing flexible conductors to be inserted without cumbersome manual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the clamping spring is held in open position without locking, then insertion is easier, but the clamping leg cannot maintain the open position automatically

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor insertionVSAvoidposition holding
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latching mechanism between the actuating element and housing automatically maintains the open position of the clamping spring without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the latched actuating element to hold the clamping spring open, ensuring both ease of insertion and reliable position maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If dual actuation is required for insertion and clamping, then flexible conductors can be connected, but the number of操作步骤 increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexible conductor connectionVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The latching function is extracted from the manual actuation process and integrated into the actuating element itself. By removing the need for separate manual steps to maintain the open position, the system reduces the number of operation steps while maintaining the ability to connect flexible conductors, thereby improving assembly speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Facilitates easy and secure connection of flexible conductors by eliminating the need for manual actuation to pivot the clamping spring, reducing handling complexity and time expenditure.

Implementation Method 1

The clamping spring is preferably designed as a torsion spring, which has a retaining leg and a clamping leg that is pivotable relative to the retaining leg

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4033610A1Electrical connection assembly
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4033610A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4033610A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4033610A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection arrangement (100) for connecting an electrical conductor (200), comprising: - a housing (110), - a conductor connection compartment (111) formed in the housing, - a current bar (112) against which the conductor (200) to be connected, inserted into the conductor connection compartment (111), can be clamped, - a clamping spring (113) which has a clamping leg (115) that can be moved into a clamping position and into an open position, - an actuating element (116) by means of which the clamping leg (115) of the clamping spring (113) can be moved from the clamping position to the open position, and - a release element (124), - wherein in the open position the actuating element (116) is positioned such that the actuating element (116) is locked to the housing (110) in order to hold the clamping leg (115) in the open position, - wherein by means of the release element (124) the locking mechanism between the housing (110) and the actuating element (116) can be released.