Conductor Terminal Sliding Actuation for Tool-Free Clamp Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conductor terminals lack an efficient and user-friendly mechanism for opening and closing the clamping point, often requiring complex pivoting movements or additional tools for actuation.
Innovation Solution
A conductor terminal design featuring a slidably mounted actuating element with a detent contour in the insulating housing, allowing linear movement to open the clamping point, and utilizing a spring force to lock the actuating section in the open position, facilitated by a flexible actuating section and optional return spring for automatic closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pivoting actuating lever is used to open the clamping point, then the clamping point can be opened, but the actuation mechanism becomes more complex and requires rotational movement
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a pivoting actuating lever that rotates to open the clamping point, the patent employs a sliding actuating element that moves linearly along a guide contour. This inverts the conventional approach by replacing rotational movement with linear sliding movement, thereby simplifying the actuating mechanism while maintaining the ability to open the clamping point effectively.
2Device complexity
If the actuating element is slidably mounted with linear movement, then the actuation mechanism is simplified, but the actuating section needs precise guidance along a detent contour
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a detent contour as an intermediary guiding structure that the actuating section follows during linear movement. This detent contour acts as a mediator between the simple linear sliding motion and the precise positioning requirements, providing the necessary guidance without adding complex mechanical components. The detent contour can be formed as an integrated feature or as a separate guide component.
3Ease of operation
If spring force is used to lock the actuating section in the open position, then continuous manual actuation is not needed, but the actuating element requires a return mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the spring automatically locks the actuating section in the open position and provides the return force to reset the actuating element. The spring force engages with the detent contour to maintain the clamping point in the desired state without requiring continuous manual intervention, and the same spring mechanism facilitates the return to the initial position, eliminating the need for a separate return mechanism.
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
Enables easy and secure clamping and release of electrical conductors without needing continuous manual actuation, improving usability and stability while reducing the risk of damage during insertion.
Implementation Method 1
A spring force from the clamping leg acts on the actuating section of the actuating element
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a conductor connection terminal (1) comprising an insulating material housing (2), wherein the insulating material housing (2) has a conductor insertion opening (3) for inserting an electrical conductor in a conductor insertion direction (L), comprising a busbar (4) and comprising a clamping spring (5), wherein the clamping spring (5) has a clamping limb (5c) which, with the busbar (4), forms a clamping point (6) for the electrical conductor, and comprising an operating element (7), wherein the operating element (7) is displaceably mounted in the insulating material housing (2) and has an operating section (7a), wherein the operating section (7a) is designed for opening the clamping point (6), wherein the operating section (7a) interacts with the clamping limb (5c) in such a way that the operating section (5c) bears against the clamping limb (5c) for opening the clamping point (6). The operating section (7a) is displaceably mounted on a latching contour (8) of the insulating material housing (2) here.