Connector Retaining Frame With Screwless PE Clamp Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting frames for connectors are either not suitable for protective earthing when installed in metallic housings or require complex assembly, especially when connecting protective conductors in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A holding frame with a screwless spring-clamp connection using a torsion spring and a clamping spring for the PE connection, allowing easy assembly and secure attachment of contact inserts without the need for additional steps, and featuring interlocking contours for easy component alignment and coding for correct insertion orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a mounting frame is made entirely of plastic material, then it is easy to manufacture and assemble, but it is not suitable for protective earthing when installed in metallic connector housings
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting frame combines plastic material for the frame structure with electrically conductive material (such as metal) for the end parts that provide protective earthing capability. This composite construction allows the frame to maintain ease of manufacture while achieving the required electrical conductivity for safety grounding in metallic connector housings.
2Reliability
If a mounting frame uses traditional screw connections for PE conductor attachment, then the connection is secure, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastening function from the traditional screw connection system and integrates it directly into the mounting frame structure through built-in clamping elements. These elements automatically clamp the PE conductor when the mounting bracket is attached, eliminating the need for separate screw fastening operations and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining secure electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is designed to combine multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical attachment of the contact inserts to the base frame, simultaneously establishes electrical connection for protective earthing through integrated clamping elements, and secures the PE conductor all in one assembly operation. This merging of functions reduces assembly complexity while ensuring reliable connections.
3Stability of the object's composition
If contact inserts are inserted after frame assembly, then the frame structure remains intact, but the locking lugs cannot be engaged in the locking windows
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting frame is designed with locking windows that are pre-positioned and accessible on the outer surface of the base frame. The locking lugs on the contact inserts are designed to engage these windows directly during the insertion process, allowing the locking mechanism to be activated automatically as the contact insert is inserted, without requiring prior frame disassembly or complex sequencing.
4Ease of operation
If the mounting frame uses multiple separate components for flexibility, then it is easy to handle and assemble, but the overall assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting frame is segmented into a base frame and removable mounting brackets, allowing the brackets to be pre-assembled or prepared separately and then quickly attached to the base frame. This segmentation enables parallel preparation of components and simplifies the overall assembly process, reducing total assembly time while maintaining the flexibility to configure different numbers of contact inserts.
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
Facilitates easy and secure assembly of contact inserts with reduced effort, ensuring reliable protective earthing and preventing unintentional disconnection of conductors, while allowing for modular design and efficient use of space.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic tab is provided on each of the two side parts, and wherein the tabs each have a locking means for fixing a locking projection of a contact insert
Implementation Method 2
The screwless connection device (7) is designed as a spring-loaded clamp connection comprising a clamping spring (10) and a contact piece (11)
Implementation Method 3
A torsion spring is used as the clamping spring, having a clamping leg and a retaining leg connected to each other by a spring arc
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A retaining frame (1) for a connector for receiving several contact inserts (2) is described and illustrated, with two opposing side parts (3, 3') and two opposing end parts (4, 4')), wherein the two end parts (4, 4')) are arranged perpendicular to the side parts (3, 3'), wherein at least one elastic tab (5, 5') is provided on each of the two side parts (3, 3') and wherein the tabs (5, 5') each have a locking means for fixing a locking projection (6) of a contact insert (2) inserted into the retaining frame (1), wherein at least one end part (4, 4') consists at least partially of an electrically conductive material and has a PE connection.In the mounting frame according to the invention, the connection of a protective conductor is particularly easy to produce because the PE connection has a screwless connection device (7) and a metallic connection contact (8, 9) which is electrically conductively connected to the connection device (7).