Conductor Connection Terminal with Integrated Guide Track
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conductor connection terminals lack versatility and compactness, limiting their application in various electrical connections due to restrictive actuation directions and complex design requirements.
Innovation Solution
A conductor connection terminal with a spring-loaded terminal connection and an actuating element guided along a linear and/or arcuate guide track within the insulating material housing, allowing for a wide range of actuation directions and configurations, including lever and push-button operations, without requiring additional bearing elements, thus enabling ergonomic and universal usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the actuating element is guided along a linear and/or arcuate guideway formed in the insulating material housing, then the versatility and adaptability of actuation directions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional guideway structure
Solution Approach 1:
The guideway is integrated directly into the insulating material housing as a formed structure, merging the guidance function with the housing structure. This eliminates the need for separate bearing elements or additional guiding components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining actuation direction flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The guideway structure serves multiple functions: it guides the actuating element along the required path, provides structural support within the housing, and enables versatile actuation directions (linear and/or arcuate). This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
2Ease of manufacture
If the clamping spring does not have to be designed to guide the actuating element, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the device complexity increases due to separation of guiding functions
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding function is separated from the clamping spring and assigned to a dedicated guideway structure. This segmentation allows the clamping spring to be manufactured independently with simpler geometry, while the guideway handles all guidance requirements. The separation is achieved through the guideway being formed in the insulating material housing.
3Ease of operation
If the actuating element is supported exclusively on the guideway, then the ease of operation is improved due to reduced friction, but the device complexity increases due to the bearing requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing function is merged with the guideway structure formed in the insulating material housing. The guideway itself provides the low-friction support surface for the actuating element, eliminating the need for separate bearing elements. This integration maintains ease of operation while avoiding additional complexity from separate bearing components.
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 allows for complex actuation mechanisms with minimal friction and no protruding parts, providing a compact, versatile, and ergonomic conductor connection terminal suitable for various applications, including terminal blocks and plug connectors.
Implementation Method 1
at least one clamping spring (18), which has at least one clamping leg (180) for clamping an electrical conductor (4) against a terminal point (170) of the conductor rail (17)
Implementation Method 2
by means of the actuating element, an actuating force acting on the actuating element in an actuating direction can be deflected into a loading direction of the clamping spring that deviates by at least 150 degrees from the actuating direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a conductor connection terminal comprising an insulating material housing and at least one spring force terminal connection for electrically contacting an electric conductor inserted through a conductor insertion opening of the insulating material housing. The at least one spring force terminal connection has at least one busbar and at least one clamping spring which has at least one clamping limb for clamping the electric conductor against a clamping point of the busbar and a contact limb for supporting the clamping spring. The conductor connection terminal further has at least one actuation element which is pivotally mounted in the insulating material housing for opening and closing the spring force terminal connection by acting on an actuation region of the clamping spring. The actuation element has at least one passage region through which an electric conductor inserted through the conductor insertion opening can be linearly guided to the clamping point through a region surrounded by the actuation element.