Conductor Terminal Channel Walls for Stable Multi-Wire Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conductor connection terminals struggle with effective clamping of multi-wire conductors, particularly in preventing strand migration and ensuring stable, compact design.

Innovation Solution

The conductor connection terminal features insulating housing with channel side walls that guide electrical conductors beyond the clamping point, a clamping spring with curvatures for enhanced elasticity, and a busbar for improved current transfer, all contributing to stable clamping and compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional conductor connection terminals are used, then the structure is simple, but multi-wire conductors cannot be clamped effectively and strand migration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping effectivenessVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating housing is divided into a body and a cover that can be separated. The cover contains conductor entry channels with channel side walls that extend into the opening, while the body contains the clamping springs. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining overall simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The channel side walls extend laterally past the clamping springs into the opening, creating a three-dimensional guidance structure. This dimensional extension provides lateral guidance for multi-wire conductors beyond the clamping point, preventing strand migration without requiring a completely complex redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If channel side walls are added to guide conductors, then strand migration is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrand positioning stabilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The channel side walls are integrated into the cover of the insulating housing, combining the guidance function with the existing housing structure. This merging approach provides lateral guidance for conductors without adding separate, complex guiding components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The channel side walls serve multiple functions: they guide conductors during insertion, provide lateral support to prevent strand migration, and maintain the structural integrity of the housing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

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

3Force

If clamping springs are made more elastic to improve clamping, then the clamping force increases, but the risk of strand displacement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping forceVSAvoidstrand position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The channel side walls act as an intermediary between the conductor and the clamping springs. They provide lateral guidance and support, mediating the interaction between the elastic clamping springs and the conductor strands, thereby preventing strand displacement while maintaining effective clamping force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The channel side walls provide preventive lateral guidance before the clamping springs apply their full elastic force. This beforehand cushioning ensures that strands are properly positioned and supported before the clamping action occurs, preventing displacement rather than correcting it afterward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 enhances the clamping of multi-wire conductors by preventing strand migration and ensuring stable, compact, and efficient current transfer.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping spring (8) arranged thereon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

channel side walls (13) that define the conductor insertion channel and extend into the opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical guidance and constraint: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4224635B1Conductor connection terminal
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 WAGO VERW GMBH
  • EP4224635B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4224635B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4224635B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention discloses a conductor terminal (1, 31) for clamping electrical conductors (15) with an insulating housing (2, 32) and with a contact element (5, 35), wherein the contact element (5, 35) has a sheet metal part (6, 36) with at least one clamping spring (8) arranged thereon, the insulating housing (2, 32) has a housing part (3, 33) into which the sheet metal part (6, 36) is received, and a cover part (4, 34) closing the housing part (3, 33), wherein the cover part (4, 34) has at least one conductor entry channel (12) leading to a respective clamping spring (8), and an opening (21) for receiving an electrical conductor (15) inserted into an associated conductor entry channel (12) is provided in the sheet metal part (6, 36), wherein the opening (21) is exposed by the clamping spring (8) window remaining from the sheet metal part (6, 36), which is bounded by two side ribs (9),wherein the cover part (4) of the insulating housing (2, 32) has channel side walls (13) that define the conductor entry channel (12) and extend into the opening (21). For each conductor entry channel (12), there are two spaced-apart channel side walls (13) that are arranged at a distance from each other and extend into the opening (21), and the channel side walls (13) of the cover part (4) extend laterally past the clamping spring (8) into the opening (21) of the sheet metal part (6), the channel side walls (13) projecting behind the sheet metal part (6) in the conductor insertion direction (L) and projecting into a conductor collection pocket (14) of the housing part (3, 33).