Clip Spring Insert for Conductor Terminal Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductor terminals with spring-loaded connections face challenges in achieving increased clamping force without additional space or material modifications, while maintaining minimal relaxation behavior and secure attachment of the spring insert.
Innovation Solution
The spring insert is positioned within the clip spring area, contacting only defined points, with a first and second leg resting on the contact and clamping legs at specific bearing points, and optionally a third point on the clip spring arc, allowing for increased force without complete surface contact, thus minimizing relaxation and ensuring secure fixation without additional elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spring insert contacts the clip spring at multiple points or flat surfaces, then the attachment is more secure, but the relaxation behavior increases and mechanical advantage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring insert is divided into discrete contact points (first bearing point on contact leg, second bearing point on clamping leg, and optionally third bearing point on clip spring arc) rather than continuous surface contact. This segmentation maintains secure attachment while minimizing relaxation and maximizing mechanical advantage by concentrating forces at specific points.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring insert provides localized support at specific bearing points rather than distributed surface contact. The first leg contacts only at the first bearing point on the contact leg, the second leg contacts only at the second bearing point on the clamping leg, and the spring insert arc contacts only at the third bearing point on the clip spring arc. This local quality approach minimizes relaxation while maintaining attachment security.
2Strength
If the spring insert is made of thicker material to increase strength, then the structural integrity improves, but the relaxation behavior increases and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring insert uses optimized material thickness parameters that balance strength and relaxation. The first leg, second leg, and spring insert arc are formed with sufficient thickness to provide structural integrity and strength, yet thin enough to minimize relaxation behavior. The discrete point contact geometry further reduces relaxation while maintaining required strength levels.
3Reliability
If additional form-locking elements are added to secure the spring insert, then the attachment security improves, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring insert achieves secure attachment through its own geometric configuration and elastic properties rather than requiring additional form-locking elements. The first leg, second leg, and spring insert arc are designed to contact the contact leg, clamping leg, and clip spring arc at defined bearing points, creating a self-securing arrangement that eliminates the need for separate form-locking components and simplifies assembly.
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 configuration enhances the mechanical advantage of the clip spring's force, increasing conductor retention force while maintaining minimal relaxation behavior and secure attachment, without the need for additional space or material changes, and simplifies assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the spring insert has a force effect which spreads the clamping leg apart from the contact leg, wherein the spring insert has a first and a second leg and a spring insert arc, which connects the first leg with the second leg
Implementation Method 2
the first leg rests on the contact leg only at a defined first bearing point and/or that the second leg rests on the clamping leg only at a defined second bearing point
Data Source
AI summary
A conductor terminal with at least one spring-loaded terminal connection, which includes at least one clip spring, wherein the at least one clip spring has a contact leg, a clip spring arc adjoining the contact leg and a clamping leg adjoining the clip spring arc, wherein the contact leg is arranged in the conductor terminal for fixing the clip spring and the clamping leg is arranged for clamping an electrical conductor at a clamping point, wherein in an arcuate portion comprising the clip spring arc and areas of the contact leg and the clamping leg adjacent to the clip spring arc, the clip spring includes a spring insert having a force effect which spreads the clamping leg apart from the contact leg, wherein the spring insert has a first and a second leg and a spring insert arc that connects the first leg with the second leg.