Electric Terminal with Spring Receptacle for Ferrule Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connection terminals require complex assembly and have limited conductor cross-section flexibility, especially when connecting conductors with ferrules, due to the need for specialized double springs and large housing dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The use of two separate torsion springs with a spring receptacle that provides a defined distance and mounting system, allowing for direct connection of rigid or ferrule-equipped conductors without tools, and accommodating conductors with ferrules by ensuring space for their collars, while reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If two separate torsion springs with a spring receptacle are used, then assembly complexity is reduced and conductor connection flexibility is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is divided into modular components: a spring receptacle that houses the torsion springs, a current bar, and a housing. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly where components can be pre-assembled and installed as units, reducing overall assembly complexity despite increasing component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring receptacle acts as an intermediary component that simplifies assembly by providing a pre-configured mounting structure for the torsion springs. This intermediary element mediates between the housing and the clamping mechanism, making the overall assembly process simpler even though it adds another component to the system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a spring receptacle with partition wall is used to accommodate two torsion springs, then conductor cross-section flexibility is improved, but the housing volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall creates localized compartments within the spring receptacle, providing defined spaces for each torsion spring and its associated conductor connection. This local structuring allows the terminal to accommodate conductors of various cross-sections in specific zones without requiring the entire housing to be oversized.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall utilizes the vertical dimension within the housing to create separated compartments for the two torsion springs. By organizing components in the vertical dimension rather than only horizontally, the design accommodates flexible conductor cross-sections while minimizing the overall housing volume.
3Productivity
If two clamping springs are arranged next to each other within a chamber, then wiring density is increased, but the housing dimensions in the perpendicular plane must be relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The two clamping springs are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the current bar rather than side-by-side in the perpendicular plane. This repositioning in another dimension (longitudinal vs. transverse) maintains high wiring density by accommodating two conductors while minimizing the housing area in the perpendicular plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping springs are nested within the chamber along the longitudinal axis, with each spring positioned sequentially rather than laterally adjacent. This nested arrangement allows two conductors to be connected in a compact configuration that does not increase the perpendicular cross-sectional area of the housing.
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 easy and secure connection of conductors with ferrules, maintaining high wiring density and flexibility in conductor size, reducing assembly complexity and component count, and ensuring secure fastening of clamping springs and the current bar within the housing.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping springs each have a clamping limb, a contact limb and an arcuate back connecting the two limbs to one another, the clamping limbs each forming a clamping point with the current bar for a stripped conductor to be connected
Implementation Method 2
In this connection terminal, the clamping spring acts as a compression spring, which uses the spring force of the clamping spring to press a conductor to be connected against a bent section of the metal part that acts as a current bar
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention illustrates and describes an electrical connection terminal having a housing (2), two clamping springs (3, 3') and a current bar (4), wherein a chamber (5) is formed in the housing (2) for receiving the clamping springs (3, 3') and at least one end of the current bar (4) as well as a conductor insertion opening (6) for inserting two conductors, and wherein the clamping springs (3, 3') are arranged next to each other in relation to the longitudinal extension of the current bar (4). In the electrical connection terminal (1) according to the invention, the clamping springs (3, 3') comprise each a clamping limb (7), an operating limb (8) and a back (9) which connects the two limbs (7, 8) to one another, wherein the clamping limbs (7), together with the current bar (4), form in each case a clamping point for a stripped conductor that is to be connected. Moreover, a spring receptacle (10) is provided within the chamber (5), which has a partition (11), the two clamping springs (3, 3') being disposed on a respective side of the partition (11).