Connecting Terminal With Nested Clamping Spring And Arrester Bar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting terminals for electrical conductors require significant space due to the arrangement of contact springs and lack protection against overstretching when releasing conductors.
Innovation Solution
The clamping spring is accommodated within the U-profile of the contact element, with an arrester bar serving as a dead stop to prevent overstretching, and the housing design includes a supporting wall and latching mechanism for secure fixation, allowing for a compact and protected terminal design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the clamping spring is arranged outside the U-profile of the contact element, then the clamping spring has sufficient space for operation, but the connecting terminal occupies more space and becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping spring is nested within the U-profile of the contact element, with the spring positioned inside the hollow space of the U-shaped contact element. This nesting arrangement allows the clamping spring to operate within the existing structure without requiring additional external space, thereby achieving a compact connecting terminal design while maintaining sufficient operation space for the spring's clamping and releasing functions
2Ease of operation
If the clamping spring is allowed to extend freely during conductor release, then the conductor can be easily released, but the clamping spring is subjected to overstretching and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The arrester bar is pre-positioned within the U-profile to establish a predetermined limit for the clamping spring's extension. Before the clamping spring can be overstretched during conductor release, it encounters the arrester bar which stops its movement in advance. This preliminary positioning of the stop mechanism prevents excessive extension and potential damage to the spring while still allowing sufficient travel for easy conductor release
3Reliability
If a separate dead stop mechanism is added to protect the clamping spring, then the spring is protected against overstretching, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arrester bar is merged with the housing structure, forming an integrated component where the dead stop function is combined with the existing housing elements. Instead of adding a separate, independent dead stop mechanism, the arrester bar is designed as part of the housing assembly, thereby providing overstretching protection for the clamping spring while avoiding increased device complexity and manufacturing cost
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 solution achieves a compact terminal design while protecting the clamping spring from overload, ensuring reliable and efficient electrical connections with easy access for conductor insertion.
Implementation Method 1
a substantially U-shaped clamping spring, in the form of a leaf spring, which keeps the conductor in electrical and mechanical connection with the contact element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention is about a connecting terminal (3) for electrical conductors, having a contact element (40) substantially in the form of a U-profile, provided for the purpose of electrically contacting the conductor, having a substantially U-shaped clamping spring (41), in the form of a leaf spring, which keeps the conductor in electrical and mechanical connection with the contact element (40), and having an insulating housing (4) which accommodates the contact element (40) and the clamping spring (41), said housing (4) having an insertion side (60), a mounting side (61), a top side (62), a bottom side (63), and at the insertion side (60) at least one insertion opening (42) for the conductor, said contact element (40) having a first profile section (43) possessing substantially a L-shape with a first and a second limb (46, 47) and with a plug-in opening (44) which is aligned with respect to the insertion opening (42), and with a second, substantially flat profile section (45), whereby the clamping spring (41) has a support limb (48) being connected to the second profile section (45) of the contact element (40), and a clamping limb (49) which is configured to be positioned with its free end against a conductor inserted into the plug-in opening (44) to press it against the first limb (46) of the contact element (40) and to be pushed towards the support limb (48) for releasing the conductor from the first limb (46), whereby the clamping spring (41) is accommodated within the U-profile of the contact element (40), that the U-shape of the clamping spring (41) opens towards the mounting side of the housing (4), and that an arrester bar (51) extends from the inner wall of the mounting side (61) into the open space between the support limb (48) and the clamping limb (49) of the clamping spring (41) to serve as a dead stop for the bending movement of the clamping limb (49) when releasing the conductor from the first limb (46).