Conductive Gripping Element with Cross-Shaped Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conductive gripping elements for electric wires in electrical connection devices face challenges such as complex design, material inefficiency, and unscrewing issues in screw-operated sliders, and increased size and resilient force requirements in spring-based designs, which hinder effective gripping under high electrical loads.
Innovation Solution
A conductive gripping element with a cross-shaped head and U-shaped legs, featuring a female thread in a single face and lugs for guiding and gripping the wire, which combines easy screw operation with irreversible gripping, reducing material usage and overall dimensions while maintaining high current load capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If screw-operated sliders are used for gripping wires, then the gripping mechanism can be operated easily with a screw, but the design becomes complex, requires more material for mechanical strength, and the screw system tends to come loose with time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gripping function from a complex screw-operated slider mechanism and implements it through a simpler integrated design where the gripping element is directly formed as part of the terminal block structure, eliminating the need for separate sliders and reducing overall complexity while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the gripping element, electrical connection, and mechanical retention functions into a single integrated component structure, combining multiple functions that were previously separated into distinct parts (screw, slider, gripping surfaces) into one unified element
2Ease of manufacture
If spring plate is used for gripping wires, then the gripping action is simple and effective, but the resilient force required increases with wire cross-section, resulting in increased size and making wire insertion difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gripping mechanism from a resilient spring-based system to a screw-operated mechanical system, fundamentally altering the force generation parameter from elastic resilience to threaded mechanical advantage, thereby reducing the force required for operation while maintaining effective gripping
3Strength
If spring plate with high resilient force is used to grip wires with large cross-section, then adequate gripping force is achieved, but the size of the spring and its resilient force must be increased, making wire insertion difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic screw-operated mechanism that allows gradual application of gripping force through rotational motion, enabling the user to control the tightening process step-by-step, thereby facilitating easier wire insertion while still achieving adequate gripping strength for large cross-section wires
4Ease of operation
If screw-operated slider is used, then easy tightening is achieved, but the screw system tends to come loose with time, not guaranteeing necessary gripping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates anti-loosening features directly into the screw and gripping element design, such as threaded retention structures and friction-based locking mechanisms, that prevent the screw from coming loose over time, thereby ensuring long-term gripping reliability while maintaining ease of initial tightening
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 solution enables easy and cost-effective production of a compact, lightweight gripping element that can handle high electrical loads, facilitates wire insertion with large cross-sections, and ensures secure gripping without material weakening, suitable for various electrical devices and user-friendly operation.
Implementation Method 1
a thread formed in a single face of the head for the reception of a screw which acts on the gripping element with its screwing rotation, causing translation of the gripping element in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wire is inserted
Implementation Method 2
two lugs formed at the free end of the opposite legs, with a longitudinal section parallel to the wire insertion direction and forming a gripping surface for gripping the wire
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9a~11
AI summary
Conductive gripping element for retaining and conductively connecting electric wires (1,1a), comprising a body in the form of an overturned "U" with legs (10) extending in the vertical direction (Z-Z) and head (20) connecting in the transverse direction the top ends of the said legs (10), the head (20) of the "U" being cross-shaped with longitudinal arms (23) and transverse arms (22) and having a hole (21) with a female thread (21a), suitable for engagement with an actuating screw (2,2a), and with a deep-drawn annular part (21b) partially comprised in the transverse direction (Y-Y) within the thickness of the legs (10) of the "U" opposite a respective eyelet (11) formed in the end of the leg (10) adjacent to the head (20) itself.