Connection Terminal Actuating Element Spring Leg Force Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection terminals require significant manual effort or tooling to position and remove conductors due to the need for precise actuation of the actuating element to move the spring leg out of the clamping position, which can be laborious and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The actuating element is designed to act on the distal end of the spring leg, allowing for improved haptics and reduced force application, with an oblique orientation between the actuation and insertion directions, and featuring a shaft with a head and foot portion to facilitate easy operation, including a locking mechanism for maintaining the open position of the spring leg.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the actuating element is designed to act on the distal end of the spring leg, then the force required to actuate the spring leg is reduced and haptics are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the shaft with head and foot portion structure
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element utilizes an oblique orientation between the actuation direction and insertion direction, creating a mechanical advantage through angular geometry. The shaft with head and foot portion configuration allows force application at a distal end, leveraging lever arm principles to reduce actuation force while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the actuating element is locked to the housing in the open position, then the ease of operation is improved by maintaining the spring leg in the open position, but the device complexity increases due to the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically engages when the actuating element is pressed into the housing, locking the spring leg in the open position without requiring additional manual intervention. The mechanism self-activates through the actuation motion itself, and can be released by simple pressure in the opposite direction, providing automatic positioning functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the spring leg is moved out of the clamping position to allow easy conductor insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity decreases due to the additional actuation step required
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element pre-positions the spring leg in the open state before conductor insertion is attempted. By automatically moving the spring leg out of the clamping position when activated, the system eliminates the need for separate manual positioning steps, making the overall process more efficient despite the additional actuation motion.
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 configuration reduces the force required to actuate the spring leg, enhances the ease of conductor insertion and removal, and allows for efficient locking and unlocking of the actuating element, thereby simplifying the process of clamping and releasing the conductor.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element, which is arranged on the housing, is held on the housing by a spring body, and has a resiliently movable spring leg extending from the spring body, wherein the spring leg is configured to clamp the conductor inserted into the insertion opening to the contact element in a clamping position
Implementation Method 2
the actuating element, to move the spring leg, is configured to act on a distal end of the spring leg, the distal end being remote from the spring body
Implementation Method 3
the actuating element is configured to be locked to the housing in an open position, in which the spring leg is moved out of the clamping position
Data Source
AI summary
A connection terminal includes a housing; an insertion opening, which is arranged on the housing and into which a conductor can be inserted in an insertion direction; a contact element, which is arranged on the housing and with which the conductor can be brought into contact by insertion into the insertion opening; a spring element, which is arranged on the housing, is held on the housing by a spring body, and has a resiliently movable spring leg extending from the spring body, wherein the spring leg clamps the conductor inserted into the insertion opening to the contact element in a clamping position; and an actuating element, which is arranged on the housing and can be actuated in an actuation direction to move the spring leg out of the clamping position, wherein the actuating element can be locked to the housing in an open position.