Clip-On Terminal Block for Solder-Free Through-Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal blocks for electrical connection to printed circuit boards require soldering, which can damage the insulating housing and lack flexibility for through-wiring, and often have limited connection options.
Innovation Solution
A terminal block design with diverging conductor entry channels, spring clamping elements, and an insulating housing that allows for easy connection of contact pins without soldering, enabling through-wiring and a compact, flexible design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terminal blocks are permanently soldered to printed circuit boards, then electrical connection is secure, but soldering temperatures affect the insulating housing and damage the terminal block
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal soldering process with a mechanical insertion system. Contact pins with insertion channels allow terminal blocks to be mechanically inserted and electrically connected without soldering, eliminating thermal damage to the insulating housing while maintaining secure electrical connection through the mechanical and electrical integration of the contact pins with the terminal block contacts
Solution Approach 2:
The contact pins serve as an intermediary element between the printed circuit board and the terminal block. These contact pins are pre-integrated into the insulating housing with insertion channels that guide and secure the terminal block during mechanical insertion, enabling connection without direct soldering to the terminal block itself
2Ease of manufacture
If terminal blocks have integrated contact projections for plugging onto printed circuit boards, then assembly is simplified, but through-wiring cannot be implemented or requires great effort
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal block design incorporates multiple functions within each contact element: conductor clamping points for securing electrical conductors, contact clamping points for receiving contact pins, and integration with the insulating housing that provides structural support and electrical insulation. This multi-functional design enables both simplified assembly and through-wiring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal block is divided into multiple independent contact elements, each with its own conductor clamping points and contact clamping point. This segmentation allows each contact element to be independently configured for different connection types (through-wiring or single-sided connection) while maintaining overall assembly simplicity through standardized insertion into the insulating housing
3Adaptability or versatility
If conductor insertion channels are arranged for through-wiring, then flexibility for through-wiring is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion channels are integrated directly into the insulating housing structure rather than being separate components. The insulating housing simultaneously provides electrical insulation, structural support, and guides the contact pins through the insertion channels to the terminal block contacts, merging multiple functions into a single integrated component that reduces overall device complexity
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 electrical connection of contact pins to printed circuit boards without soldering, maintaining functionality and allowing for compact and flexible terminal block designs.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the contact elements has a contact clamping point for receiving a contact pin... featuring spring clamping elements for effective clamping
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a terminal block (1) comprising at least two contact elements (2), each of which has two electrically connected conductor clamping points (20) for electrical connection to an electrical conductor to provide through-wiring via the contact element (2), and an insulating housing (3) receiving the contact elements (2), wherein the insulating housing (3) defines at least a portion of a conductor entry channel (4) leading from the outside to the respective conductor entry channel (20) for each conductor clamping point (20), wherein the conductor entry channels (4) associated with the same contact element (2) extend along or substantially parallel to the same axis of extension (X1) and are directed away from each other, wherein each of the contact elements (2) has a contact clamping point (5) for receiving a contact pin (11).wherein the contact clamping points (5) are each electrically connected to the conductor clamping points (20) of the associated contact element (2), wherein the insulating housing (3) for each contact clamping point (5) limits at least a portion of the contact insertion channels (6) leading from the outside to the respective contact clamping points (5), and wherein the contact insertion channels (6) each extend along a further axis of extension (X2) which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of extension (X1) of the conductor insertion channels (4) associated with the same contact element (2).