Conductor Contact with Spaced Connection Plane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conductor connection contacts for printed circuit boards are not compact, easy to handle, or stable, and do not ensure reliable electrical contact while meeting clearance and creepage distance requirements.

Innovation Solution

A conductor connection contact with a plug-in contact connection featuring a spring-clamping element and a solder connection surface, where the connection surface is spaced apart from the solder connection surface, allowing for reliable clamping of electrical conductors and optimizing current paths through spring-elastic clamping tongues and foot sections, with optional insulation displacement contact connections for enhanced mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the connection surface is positioned close to the solder connection surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the clearance and creepage distance requirements cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidclearance and creepage distance compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection surface is positioned in a direction transverse to the solder connection surface, utilizing the third dimension (height/depth) rather than increasing lateral distance. This vertical separation allows clearance and creepage requirements to be met while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact structure is divided into distinct functional zones: the connection surface area for electrical connections and the solder connection surface area for mechanical attachment. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized independently for its specific function while meeting spatial requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If a compact design is used, then the volume is reduced, but the handling ease deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact volumeVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The contact is segmented into distinct functional areas (connection surface, solder surfaces, clamping elements) that can be independently manipulated during assembly. This modular segmentation facilitates easier handling and assembly despite the compact overall size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the connection surface is spaced away from the solder connection surface, then the clearance distances are ensured, but the current-conducting path length increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclearance distance complianceVSAvoidcurrent path length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The separation between connection surface and solder connection surface is achieved in the vertical dimension rather than extending the lateral current path. This three-dimensional arrangement maintains short current paths while ensuring adequate clearance distances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Device complexity

If multiple functional areas are integrated into one contact, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of separate componentsVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

While integrating multiple functions into a single contact structure, the design segments the contact into distinct functional zones with clear geometric boundaries. This zonal segmentation provides inherent positioning references that reduce manufacturing precision requirements compared to fully integrated designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides a compact, stable, and reliable electrical connection that ensures compliance with clearance and creepage distances, allowing for easy handling and efficient current conduction, while enabling flexible wiring options such as vertical or horizontal connections on the same contact.

Implementation Method 1

at least one spring-loaded clamping tongue to form the spring clamping element... clamped to the contact surface of the plug-in connection by means of the spring-loaded clamping tongue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3384561B1Wire connector contact and circuit board arrangement
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 WAGO VERW GMBH
  • EP3384561B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3384561B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3384561B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a conductor connection contact (1), comprising a soldering connection surface (13a, 13b) for connecting to a circuit board (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e) and comprising an insertion contact connection (8) having at least one spring clamping element. The insertion contact connection (8) is formed on a connection plane (9) of the conductor connection contact (1), which connection plane is spaced apart from the plane of the soldering connection surfaces (13a, 13b) and has an insertion opening (10) and at least one elastic clamping tongue (11) for forming the spring clamping element. The connection surface (9) transitions into foot sections (14), which are each connected to a soldering connection surface (13a, 13b) or have a soldering connection surface (13a, 13b) on the side thereof facing away from the connection surface (9).