Frustoconical Latching Peg for Play-Free Terminal Block Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating housings for electrical terminal devices that can be stacked to form a terminal block are not firmly connected, resulting in potential gaps due to play in the latching mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The insulating housings feature a protruding locking pin and a corresponding slot with a frustoconical design, where the locking pin and hole diameters increase from front to end, providing a positive connection and restoring force for a play-free fit, along with a latching hook and catch for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a locking element is used to connect insulating housings, then the housings can be assembled together, but play in the locking element causes gaps to form between housings
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin and locking hole are designed with a conical geometry where the diameter increases from the front side toward the rear side. This parameter change creates a wedge effect that generates restoring force when the housings are pulled apart, eliminating play and ensuring a play-free fit while maintaining easy assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The conical shape of the locking pin and locking hole introduces a curved geometric profile instead of a cylindrical one. This curvature creates a self-centering effect and generates radial restoring forces that prevent gaps from forming between connected housings
2Stability of the object's composition
If the locking pin and locking hole are designed with increasing diameter (frustoconical shape), then a play-free fit is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin and locking hole are integrated into the insulating housing as single-piece components rather than separate parts. This merging reduces the total number of components and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the conical geometry for play-free connection
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 ensures a firm, play-free connection between stacked insulating housings, maintaining stability and reducing gaps, while allowing for adjustable cone angles and deformability to suit various locking pin types.
Implementation Method 1
when the insulating housings which are plugged one on top of the other are pulled apart, the frustoconical configuration of the locking pin (14) and the locking hole (20) generates a restoring force in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the front side (12) or the rear side (18) of the housing, which pulls the insulating housings (10) that are plugged one on top of the other together
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an insulating housing of an electrical terminal device, wherein a plurality of insulating housings (10) can be plugged onto one another in order to form an electrical terminal block in that each insulating housing (10) has a projecting latching peg (14) arranged on the housing front side (12) in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the housing front side (12), wherein the latching peg (14) engages in a latching hole (20) arranged on the housing rear side (18) in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the housing rear side (18) and has a latching hook (16) which projects on the housing front side (12) and which engages in and latches behind a catch (22) arranged on the housing rear side (18). According to the invention, it is provided that the latching peg (14) and the latching hole (20) are frustoconical, wherein the diameter of the latching peg (14) increases from the housing front side (12) towards the latching peg end (28) and the diameter of the latching hole (20) increases from the housing rear side (18) towards the latching hole bottom (32). In this way, an insulating housing of an electrical terminal device is specified, wherein a plurality of insulating housings can be plugged onto one another in order to form an electrical terminal block and are securely connected to one another in the plugged-together state.