Compact Conductor Terminal with Nested Spring Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductor connection terminals in prior art have large external dimensions, making them unsuitable for applications with limited space.
Innovation Solution
A compact conductor connection terminal design featuring a housing with a clamping spring and actuating element, where the clamping spring is accommodated in a receiving pocket of the actuating element, allowing for shared space and reduced overall size, along with a U-shaped current bar and sliding edges for reliable contacting and guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the clamping spring is arranged separately from the actuating element in conventional designs, then the components can be manufactured independently, but the external dimensions of the terminal become too large for applications with limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping spring is nested within the actuating element by receiving it in a receiving pocket of the actuating element. This nesting arrangement allows the clamping spring to be positioned inside the actuating element's volume, significantly reducing the overall external dimensions of the terminal while maintaining all necessary functional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element and clamping spring are merged into a single integrated assembly where the clamping spring is received within the actuating element. This merging of previously separate components into one compact unit reduces the total volume occupied by these components and simplifies the overall device structure.
2Volume of moving object
If the clamping spring is received in the receiving pocket of the actuating element, then the terminal becomes more compact, but the positioning precision of the clamping spring relative to the actuating element becomes critical
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping spring is designed to be received and positioned automatically within the receiving pocket of the actuating element through its own elastic deformation and geometric shape. The spring's natural tendency to return to its original position and its flexible joint design enable it to self-position and self-adjust within the pocket, reducing the need for high-precision external positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping spring utilizes changes in its geometric parameters (such as the angle between contact leg and clamping leg) and material properties (elasticity) to adapt to the receiving pocket geometry. This allows the spring to achieve proper positioning through its own physical characteristics rather than requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances of the pocket itself.
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
The design results in a significantly more compact terminal that maintains reliable functionality and facilitates easy insertion of electrical conductors while ensuring secure clamping and efficient use of installation space.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping spring (30) arranged in the housing with a contact leg (31) and a clamping leg (32) connected to this via a flexible joint (33), the clamping spring being between a release position in which an electrical conductor can be inserted and/or removed into the conductor receiving space, and a clamping position, in which the clamping leg (32) applies force to an electrical conductor (L) inserted in the conductor receiving space in the direction of the current bar (20)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 2E~2F
AI summary
The present invention relates to a conductor connection terminal (1) comprising: a housing (10) which has a conductor-receiving chamber (12) accessible via a conductor insertion opening (11) for receiving an electrical conductor (L), wherein the conductor (L) can be inserted into the conductor-receiving chamber (12) in a conductor insertion direction (R); a current bar (20) located in the conductor-receiving chamber (12) for contacting an electrical conductor (L) inserted into the conductor-receiving chamber (12) via the conductor insertion opening (11); a clamping spring (30) which is located in the housing (10) and which has a contact limb (31) and a clamping limb (32) connected to the contact limb via a bending joint (33), wherein the clamping spring (30) can be actuated between a release position in which an electrical conductor (L) can be inserted into and/or retracted from the conductor-receiving chamber (12), and a clamping position in which the clamping limb (32) applies force in the direction of the current bar (20) to an electrical conductor (L) inserted in the conductor-receiving chamber (12); and an actuating element (40) which has a handling portion (41) and a pressure portion (42) which can be brought into contact with the clamping limb (32), wherein the actuating element (40) can be displaced parallel to the conductor insertion direction (R) between a clamping position and a release position, and wherein, by moving the actuating element (40) from its clamping position to its release position, force is applied to the clamping limb (32) by means of the pressure portion (42), and the clamping spring (30) is moved from its clamping position to its release position. The conductor connection terminal (1) is characterised in that the actuating element (40) has a receiving pocket (43) for receiving the clamping spring (30).