Tool-Free Connection Terminal Lever for Low-Friction Spring Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal blocks require additional tools for actuation, complicating their design and operation, and lack a simplified mechanism for transitioning the clamping spring between open and clamped positions.
Innovation Solution
The terminal block features a two-part actuating element with a rotary element and a lever element, each having separate axes of rotation, allowing direct user operation without tools, and a clamping spring mounted on the rotary element to follow its rotational movement, enabling frictionless transition between positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional connection terminal with a single insertion hole is used, then the structure is simple, but only one wire can be connected at a time requiring repeated insertion and withdrawal operations
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal body is divided into multiple independent insertion holes (first insertion hole and second insertion hole) within a single terminal structure. Each insertion hole can independently receive and secure a wire, allowing multiple wires to be connected simultaneously without requiring repeated operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple insertion holes and their corresponding pressing members are integrated into a single terminal body structure. This merging allows the terminal to handle multiple wires concurrently while maintaining a unified, compact design that does not significantly increase overall complexity.
2Force
If the terminal body is made thick to accommodate pressing members, then the pressing force is sufficient, but the terminal cannot pass through narrow conduit holes
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing members are nested within recesses formed in the terminal body, rather than extending outward. This nesting arrangement allows the pressing members to be housed inside the terminal body's thickness, maintaining sufficient pressing force while keeping the overall terminal thickness minimal for passing through narrow conduit holes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing terminal thickness in the vertical dimension to accommodate pressing members, the design uses the horizontal dimension by creating recesses that allow pressing members to be positioned within the terminal body's existing thickness, effectively utilizing space in another dimension.
3Ease of operation
If a single insertion hole is used, then the terminal structure is simple, but the connection process requires repeated insertion and withdrawal operations
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal body is segmented into multiple independent insertion holes, each capable of independently receiving and securing a wire. This segmentation allows multiple wires to be connected in a single operation without requiring repeated insertion and withdrawal, significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal body is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple insertion holes that can handle different wires simultaneously. Each insertion hole functions independently but contributes to the overall universal capability of the terminal to connect multiple wires in one operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connection terminal (100) for connecting an electric conductor, having a housing (10), a current bar (12) arranged in the housing (10), a clamping spring (13) arranged in the housing (10) for clamping the conductor to be connected against the current bar (12), and an actuation element (14) for moving the clamping spring (13) into a clamping position and into an open position, wherein: the actuation element (14) has a rotation element (15) mounted to rotate about a first axis of rotation (17) and a lever element (16) mounted to rotate about a second axis of rotation (18); the clamping spring (13) is mounted on the rotation element (15) and the clamping spring (13) follows, at least in regions, a rotational movement of the rotation element (15); and the rotation element (15) engages with the lever element (16) such that in the event of a rotational movement of the lever element (16) about the second axis of rotation (18), the rotation element (15) is rotated about the first axis of rotation (17), which is arranged spaced apart from the second axis of rotation (18), and the clamping spring (13) can be moved into the open position and into the clamping position.