Conductor Terminal with Pivot Actuation for Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductor terminals with insulating housing and spring-loaded terminal connections face challenges in achieving a compact design while efficiently transmitting force from the actuating lever to the clamping spring, often resulting in increased structural height and inefficient force distribution.
Innovation Solution
The conductor terminal features pivotally mounted actuating elements with strategically positioned pivot bearing areas and guide slots, allowing for a compact, stable, and robust design where the lever pivoting force and spring actuating force act on the same side relative to the axis of rotation, optimizing power transmission and reducing the load on the insulating housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuating lever is mounted with its axis of rotation above the clamping point, then the clamping connection can be actuated, but the overall height of the terminal block increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the axis of rotation from a vertical orientation (above the clamping point) to a horizontal orientation (adjacent to the clamping spring). This dimensional change allows the actuating lever to operate in a different spatial plane, reducing the vertical height requirement while maintaining actuation functionality. The pivot axis now extends transversely through the insulating housing rather than vertically above the clamping point.
2Length of stationary object
If the actuating lever is mounted behind the clamping point below the clamping spring, then the structure can be compact, but the force transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the axis of rotation at a specific location adjacent to the clamping spring rather than behind the clamping point. This localized positioning optimizes the lever arm geometry for force transmission. The actuating lever is configured so that its actuating finger directly engages the clamping spring at the optimal point, maximizing mechanical advantage and force transmission efficiency while maintaining compact dimensions.
3Force
If the lever arm is extended to improve force transmission, then the actuating force increases, but the distance between pivot bearing areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating lever employs an asymmetric design with unequal arm lengths on either side of the pivot axis. The actuating arm (from pivot to actuating finger) is optimized for force transmission to the clamping spring, while the other arm provides sufficient leverage for manual actuation. This asymmetric configuration maximizes actuating force efficiency without requiring excessive distance between pivot bearing areas, as the force advantage is achieved through the lever ratio rather than simply extending the overall length.
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
This configuration results in a very compact conductor terminal with stable and efficient force transmission, enabling easy connection and disconnection of electrical conductors across a range of cross-sections, suitable for both power distribution and communications technology applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring clamp unit with a clamping spring (17), which has a clamping section (20) that can be acted upon by a spring force
Implementation Method 2
an actuating lever (4) that can be pivoted about a pivot axis (D) in a pivot bearing area (14) and has a lever arm that extends away from the pivot axis (D) in an extended position
Implementation Method 3
optimizing power transmission and reducing the load on the insulating housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A conductor terminal (1) is described having an insulating material housing (2) and having at least one spring-loaded clamping connection (11) in said insulating material housing (2), and having at least one actuation element (4) that is pivotably accommodated in the insulating material housing (2) and is designed to open in each case at least one associated spring-loaded clamping connection (11). The actuation element (4) has two side wall portions (8a, 8b) which are spaced from each other and at least partially enter the insulating material housing (2) with a pivot bearing region (14) and, opposite said pivot bearing region (14), are connected to each other by a transversal connecting part (5) to form a lever arm. The pivot bearing regions (14) of the spaced side wall portions (8a, 8b) of an actuation element (4) form an axis of rotation (D) about which the actuation element (4) is pivotably mounted in the insulating material housing (2). An associated spring-loaded clamping connection (11) is at least partially accommodated in the space between the pivot bearing regions (14) of an actuation element (4). The pivot bearing regions (14) have actuation portions (16) which are each designed to act on an associated clamping spring (17) of a spring-loaded clamping connection (11) when the actuation element (16) is pivoted from a closed position into an open position. The actuation portions (4) are arranged at a distance from each other that is smaller at the pivot bearing regions (14) of the side wall portions (8a, 8b) than the distance between the side wall portions (8a, 8b). The actuation portions (16) extend parallel to the side wall portions (8a, 8b) and are formed integrally with the side wall portions (8a, 8b) in such a way that a guide slot (30) is present between each actuation portion (16) and the associated, directly adjacent side wall portion (8a, 8b). In each case, a guiding connecting part (27) of the insulating material housing (2) enters an associated guide slot (30) for guiding the actuation element (4) when there is a pivoting movement about an axis of rotation (D) in the pivot bearing region (14).