Conductor Terminal Double Latching Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conductor terminals face instability and deformation under external forces due to inadequate locking mechanisms, leading to potential disassembly and functional impairment.

Innovation Solution

A conductor terminal design featuring a second latching connection between the closure part and contact insert, combined with a blocking element in the insulating housing, provides a preassembled, stable unit with enhanced security against deformation and disassembly by double latching mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single locking connection is used between the closure part and insulating housing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and reliability under external forces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism complexityVSAvoidstability under external forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into two independent locking connections: a first locking connection between the closure part and insulating housing, and a second locking connection between the closure part and contact insert. This segmentation allows each locking connection to perform a specific stabilizing function, preventing deformation in different directions and improving overall reliability without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a second locking connection is added between the closure part and contact insert, then the stability under external forces is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability under external forcesVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second locking connection merges the closure part, contact insert, and insulating housing into a unified pre-assembled unit. By combining these components through the second locking connection, the system achieves enhanced stability under external forces while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the locking mechanisms work together synergistically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the blocking element is designed to prevent release of the second locking connection, then the resistance to disassembly is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to unauthorized disassemblyVSAvoidease of assembly and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element is designed to prevent unauthorized release of the second locking connection under normal operating conditions. However, during proper assembly operations, the blocking element can be temporarily overcome or disengaged, allowing controlled assembly and disassembly. This preliminary anti-action protects against harmful unauthorized disassembly while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate assembly tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3866266B1Conductor connecting terminal and method for assembling a conductor connecting terminal
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 WAGO VERW GMBH
  • EP3866266B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3866266B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3866266B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a conductor terminal (1) - with an insulating housing (2), wherein the insulating housing (2) has a mounting opening and a conductor entry opening (4a, 4b), - with a locking element (3), wherein the locking element (3) can be inserted into the mounting opening, - with a contact insert (12), wherein the contact insert (12) has a busbar (13) and a clamping spring (17a, 17b), wherein the clamping spring (17a, 17b) has a clamping leg (20a, 20b) extending towards the busbar (13) with a spring clamping edge (21a, 21b) for clamping an electrical conductor, and - with a first locking connection (7) arranged between the locking element (3) and the insulating housing (2), wherein the locking element (3) and the insulating housing (2) can be fixed to one another by the first locking connection (7), wherein between the locking element (3) and the contact insert (12) a second locking connection (10) is arranged,wherein the locking part (3) and the contact insert (12) can be locked together by the second locking connection (10).