Connector Contact Insert With Spring Grounding for Easy PE Wiring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contact solutions for connector parts often require complex screw connections for attaching protective lines, which can be cumbersome and difficult to access, especially when the contact insert is already inserted into a connector housing.

Innovation Solution

A contact use featuring a grounding element with a contact device that includes a housing with a plug opening for the protective line and a spring element to lock and contact the protective line with the grounding element, allowing for easy plugging and reliable connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screw terminal is used to connect the protective wire, then a reliable mechanical connection is achieved, but the operation becomes cumbersome and difficult to access when the contact insert is already inserted into the connector housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connection reliabilityVSAvoidaccessibility of connection device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the screw terminal mechanism with a spring-loaded push-button connection system. The spring element provides continuous contact pressure to maintain reliable electrical connection, while the push-button mechanism allows for tool-free attachment and detachment. This substitution eliminates the need for screwdrivers and complex tightening operations, making the connection device easily accessible and operable even when the contact insert is mounted in the connector housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element automatically maintains contact pressure with the protective wire without requiring manual adjustment or tightening. The connection device self-regulates the contact force through the spring's elastic properties, ensuring reliable connection while eliminating the need for operator intervention to maintain proper torque or tightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If a screw terminal is used, then secure fixation is achieved, but additional operating steps are required to attach multiple protective wires

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation securityVSAvoidtime for attaching protective wires
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connection device features multiple independent plug-in openings, each with its own spring element and push-button mechanism. This segmentation allows multiple protective wires to be connected simultaneously or sequentially without interfering with each other. Each wire can be attached and detached independently, significantly reducing the time required to connect multiple wires compared to using a single screw terminal that would require repeated tightening operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring elements are pre-loaded and positioned within the housing, ready to immediately engage with protective wires. The push-button mechanisms are pre-configured to release the spring's clamping force when activated. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual adjustment or tightening steps during the connection process, allowing for rapid attachment of multiple wires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If a screw connection is used, then a robust connection is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidconnection device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex screw-threaded connection mechanism and replaces it with a simplified spring-loaded system. The essential function of maintaining contact pressure is achieved through the spring element, while the connection and disconnection operations are simplified to single push-button actions. This extraction of the screw mechanism reduces device complexity while maintaining adequate connection strength through the spring's elastic force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 a simple, convenient, and reliable connection of protective lines to the grounding element without the need for additional operating steps, improving accessibility and ease of use compared to traditional screw connections.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element (26) arranged on the housing (230) for locking the protective line (25) in the plug-in opening (231) and for contacting the protective line (25) with the grounding element (22)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3312940B2Contact insert for a connector part
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3312940B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3312940B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3312940B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A contact insert (2, 4) for a connector part (1, 3) comprises a frame part (20) which has a plug-in section (200) for plugging connection to a further plug-in connector part (3, 1), at least one on the plug-in section (200) arranged electrical contact element (211, 411) and on the frame part (20) arranged grounding element (22) to which a protective line (25) can be connected. In addition, a contacting device (23) arranged on the grounding element (22) is provided, which has a housing (230) with a plug-in opening (231) for plugging in the protective cable (25) and a spring element (26) arranged on the housing (230) for locking the protective line (25) in the plug-in opening (231) and for contacting the protective line (25) with the grounding element (22). In this way, a contact insert for a connector part is made available, which enables a protective line to be connected in a simple manner.