Electrical Connector Mantle Terminal Offset for Compact Conductor Branching
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors lack the ability to connect additional conductors in a compact space, especially in automation technology and field bus systems, where space is limited and flexible conductor management is required.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring a mantle terminal with a plug-in contact pin and a contact bridge, where the mantle terminal and plug-in contact pin are offset, allowing for parallel conductor connection and distribution without interference, using a combination of a mantle clamp with a U-shaped recess and a screw-on upper part for secure attachment, along with a disc spring for prevention of unintentional loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional mantle clamp is used to fix two stripped cable ends in anti-parallel alignment, then the conductor connection is stable, but the installation space requirement increases and additional conductor connection is not allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional single-plane mantle clamp to a multi-level structure where the contact bridge extends vertically. The plug-in contact pin is positioned at a different height level than the mantle clamp, allowing conductors to be connected in different spatial dimensions. This enables additional conductor connections without increasing the horizontal installation footprint, effectively resolving the contradiction between versatility and space consumption.
2Ease of operation
If the mantle terminal and plug-in contact pin are positioned at the same level, then the structure is simple, but the connections interfere with each other during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The contact bridge is designed to extend in the vertical direction, positioning the plug-in contact pin at a different height level than the mantle terminal. This vertical separation eliminates interference between connections during assembly while maintaining a compact overall structure. The multi-level arrangement allows independent access to each connection point without complicating the fundamental structural design.
3Reliability
If the mantle clamp is made tightly secured to prevent loosening, then the connection reliability increases, but the assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact bridge is pre-assembled with the plug-in contact pin in a standardized configuration before installation. This preliminary preparation allows the mantle clamp and contact bridge to be quickly connected as a unit, reducing assembly complexity. The pre-arranged structure ensures proper alignment and secure connection without requiring complex assembly procedures on-site.
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 efficient, compact connection and distribution of flexible conductors with reduced wiring space, allowing for branching and easy assembly, while preventing jamming and ensuring high contact pressure and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a disc spring is arranged between the nut and the contact bridge. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that unintentional loosening of the mantle clamp is prevented.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns an electrical connector (100) for electrically contacting an electrical conductor (101) with a sheath clamp (103, 105) for inserting the electrical conductor (101), a plug contact pin (109) for fitting on a socket, and a contact bridge (111), on which the sheath clamp (103, 105) and the plug contact pin (109) are secured.