Insulated Conductor Terminal with Inner Piece Spring Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting terminals for electrical conductors are complex and require numerous parts, making assembly cumbersome and time-consuming, while also lacking efficient mechanical and electrical functions.

Innovation Solution

A connecting terminal with a simplified design featuring a housing, clamping springs, and a busbar, enhanced by an inner piece made of insulating material that supports and guides the clamping springs, allowing direct plug-in connections and reducing the number of required components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing connecting terminals are designed with multiple separate components to achieve reliable electrical connection, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the insulating support structure and the conductor guiding function into a single integrated inner piece component. This inner piece is inserted into the housing and provides both mechanical support for the clamping springs and guidance for the conductors, eliminating the need for separate support and guiding components while maintaining reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inner piece serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation between conductors, mechanically supports the clamping springs, guides the conductors during insertion, and maintains the structural integrity of the terminal. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional connecting terminals use multiple separate parts for support and guidance, then functional requirements are met, but assembly becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal is divided into two main segments: a reusable housing that contains the contact elements, and a replaceable inner piece that combines support and guidance functions. This segmentation allows the inner piece to be pre-assembled and tested separately, then quickly inserted into the housing, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining all necessary functional performances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner piece is pre-assembled with the clamping springs and contact elements before insertion into the housing. This preliminary assembly ensures proper positioning and alignment, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during final assembly and reducing overall assembly time while ensuring functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If connecting terminals are simplified with fewer components, then assembly is easier, but mechanical support and electrical insulation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidmechanical support
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The inner piece is made from composite materials that combine high mechanical strength with excellent electrical insulation properties. This allows a single component to provide both the structural support necessary for reliable clamping and the electrical insulation required for safe operation, simplifying the design without compromising strength or insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 simplified design enables easy assembly, stable positioning of clamping springs, and efficient mechanical and electrical functions, while maintaining a compact and robust structure.

Implementation Method 1

a first clamping spring (41), a second clamping spring (42)... each having a root region (46), arched side webs (48) and a clamping leg (43)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4030561B1Connecting terminal for connecting an insulated conductor
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 WAGO VERW GMBH
  • EP4030561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4030561B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4030561B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a connecting terminal (1) for connecting at least one first electrical conductor to a second electrical conductor, wherein the connecting terminal (1) has a housing (2) with a first conductor entry opening (11) for inserting the first electrical conductor and with a second conductor entry opening (12) for inserting the second electrical conductor, wherein the first and the second conductor entry opening (11, 12) are arranged on opposite sides of the housing (2), wherein the connecting terminal (1) has a contact insert (3, 41, 42) which has a first clamping spring (41), a second clamping spring (42) and a busbar (3), wherein the first and the second clamping spring (41, 42) are attached to oppositely projecting end regions of the busbar (3) and a clearance is provided between the first and the second clamping spring (41, 42).wherein the connecting clamp (1) has as a further separate component an inner piece (5) which is arranged at least with a central section (50, 53, 54) predominantly in the free space between the first and the second clamping spring (41, 42).