Contact Spring Assembly With Curved Clamping Leg for Compact Wire Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact spring arrangements for self-locking electrical conductors require significant space and may not provide sufficient holding force, affecting functional reliability and ease of operation.
Innovation Solution
The contact spring arrangement incorporates additional bends in the clamping leg with positive curvature, minimizing space requirements and enhancing the gripping force, while maintaining parallel straight sections adjacent to the stop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the clamping leg has a conventional curvature design with alternating positive and negative curvature zones, then the straight sections can run approximately parallel to one another, but the space required for the contact spring arrangement is excessive and the holding force at the gripping edge is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping leg is redesigned with additional bends introducing positive curvature in straight sections adjacent to the stop. This curvature modification allows the straight sections to remain parallel while reducing the overall space required and enhancing the gripping force through optimized stress distribution in the bent regions
2Reliability
If the clamping leg uses a conventional design with multiple alternating curvature zones, then the structure can accommodate the stop function, but the overall space requirement increases and functional reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing additional bends with positive curvature in the straight sections adjacent to the stop, the design optimizes the stress distribution and structural integrity of the clamping leg. This improves functional reliability while simultaneously reducing the space required for the overall arrangement
3Ease of operation
If the clamping leg has a conventional curvature design, then the stop can be formed, but the space required for the arrangement is excessive and ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The additional bends with positive curvature in the straight sections adjacent to the stop create a more compact configuration that is easier to operate. The optimized curvature distribution improves the mechanical advantage and reduces the space required for actuation
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 design reduces the overall space needed for the contact spring arrangement and improves the holding force at the gripping edge, thereby enhancing functional reliability and ease of operation.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the elastic restoring force of the spring, the gripping edge that is formed at the free end of the clamping leg claws into the copper wire
Data Source
AI summary
A contact spring assembly for the self-locking contacting of a wire of an electrical conductor is provided that includes a support wall made of a conductive material; —a contact spring which has a base leg held stationary with respect to the support wall and has a clamping leg that is connected to the base leg by a curve portion and forms, together with the support wall, an insertion receptacle for the wire of the conductor, the insertion receptacle being tapered in the insertion direction, and the clamping leg having at its free end a gripping edge for the wire; and—a release element guided for translation relative to the support wall in the insertion direction and having an actuation arm, the free end of which, in a release position, acts on a stop formed by a curved portion of the clamping leg and holds the clamping leg, against the spring force, in a position in which the clamping leg is bent back against the base leg; wherein the clamping leg has, in a portion adjoining the stop, a bend point which is curved in the direction opposite the direction of curvature of the curve portion and which is followed, toward the stop, by an additional bend point curved in the same direction.