Contact Spring Stop Mechanism Prevents Overstretching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact spring arrangements are prone to overstretching due to excessive bending moments when a high force is applied, which can lead to weakening and failure, and require additional support structures to prevent this.
Innovation Solution
A carrier structure with a stop that limits the range of movement of the release member in the insertion direction, preventing excessive deflection of the contact spring by distributing the bending moment, thus eliminating the need for direct support structures on the spring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If support structures are added to prevent overstretching of the contact spring, then the spring's reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release member acts as an intermediary element between the operator and the contact spring. By limiting the release member's range of movement, the patent indirectly protects the contact spring from overstretching without requiring direct support structures on the spring itself. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by protecting the spring through a separate component.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop structure preliminarily limits the range of movement of the release member before excessive force can be transmitted to the contact spring. By establishing this movement limit in advance, the patent prevents overstretching from occurring in the first place, eliminating the need for additional support structures and maintaining simple construction.
2Ease of operation
If the release member is allowed full range of movement for effective release, then the ease of operation is improved, but the contact spring is subjected to excessive bending moments causing overstretching
Solution Approach 1:
The stop structure applies a preliminary counter-action to the release member's movement by limiting its range. This prevents the excessive bending moment from developing in the first place, allowing the release member to operate effectively through its permitted range while protecting the contact spring from strength-compromising forces.
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
The solution effectively prevents overstretching and simplifies the construction of the contact spring arrangement by limiting the bending moment, ensuring reliable and secure contact retention and release without compromising the spring's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an insulated end of the core (for example a copper core) is inserted into the plug socket. The end of the core slides onto the flank of the clamping limb and deflects this clamping limb. Due to the resilient restoring force of the spring, a gripping edge formed at the free end of the clamping limb digs into the peripheral surface of the copper core.
Implementation Method 2
the release member is displaced in the insertion direction so that its actuation arm collides with the flank of the clamping limb and bends it back. As a result, the core of the conductor is released so that the conductor can be pulled back out of the plug socket.
Data Source
AI summary
A contact spring arrangement includes a carrier structure which has a support wall made of a conductive material. A contact spring has a base limb, held in a fixed position with respect to the support wall, and a clamping limb which, together with the support wall, forms a plug socket narrowing in the insertion direction for a core of an electrical conductor. A release member is guided displaceably in a guide body in the insertion direction with respect to the support wall and has an actuation arm which, in a release position, engages on a flank of the clamping limb facing towards the plug socket and holds the clamping limb, counter to the spring force, in a position bent back towards the base limb. The carrier structure forms a stop which limits the range of movement of the release member in the insertion direction.