One-Sided Connection Terminal Fastening Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal block fastening methods require access to the housing wall from both sides for assembly and disassembly, making them inconvenient and prone to misalignment due to dimensional tolerances.

Innovation Solution

A fastening clamp system with a displaceable fixing element and clamping bevel that can be actuated from one side, allowing secure one-sided assembly and disassembly, and accommodating dimensional variations in the wall opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If terminal blocks are fastened using traditional two-sided clamping methods, then secure fastening is achieved, but assembly and disassembly require access from both sides of the housing wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly convenienceVSAvoidfastening mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening mechanism is segmented into a clamp body and a separate fixing element that can be independently actuated. The fixing element with its clamping bevel can be operated separately from the main clamp body, allowing one-sided operation while maintaining the security of traditional two-sided fastening methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing element acts as an intermediary component between the operator and the terminal block. It translates the actuating force applied from one side into effective clamping action on both sides of the terminal block, enabling one-sided operation while achieving two-sided fastening security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dimensional tolerances in wall openings are accommodated, then adaptability is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance accommodationVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing element is designed with dynamic adjustment capability through its displaceable arrangement and clamping bevel geometry. This allows the fastening mechanism to adapt to varying wall opening dimensions while maintaining precise alignment through the self-adjusting nature of the inclined clamping surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping bevel angle and displacement distance of the fixing element can be varied to accommodate different wall opening dimensions. By changing these parameters, the system maintains both adaptability to tolerances and alignment precision across different installation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 fastening of multiple terminal blocks in a wall opening with reduced risk of misalignment, allowing for efficient installation and removal from one side while ensuring stability across varying dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping bevel (8), which protrudes through an opening (9) in the clamp housing (2), against an inner edge (10) of the wall opening (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a screw (12) is provided as the actuating element, which is arranged in a bore (13) in the terminal housing (2) that is accessible from the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2965389B1Connection terminal
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2965389B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2965389B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2965389B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is a connection terminal (1) comprising a terminal housing (2) for securing a terminal block arrangement (4) consisting of a plurality of terminal blocks (3) in a wall opening (5) of a housing wall (6), and a construction unit consisting of two connection terminals and a terminal block arrangement (4) that consists of a plurality of adjacently arranged terminal blocks (3). The connection terminal thus enables the terminal blocks and/or the terminal block arrangement to be mounted and/or dismounted from one side in a wall opening of a housing wall by displaceably arranging a securing element (7) in the terminal housing (2), which securing element has a terminal bevel (8) that protrudes through an opening (9) in the terminal housing (2), and by disposing the securing element (7) so that it can be moved into a terminal position with the aid of an actuation element, in which terminal position the terminal bevel (8) acts against an inner edge (10) of the wall opening (5) in the mounted state of the connection terminal (1).