Lateral Elastic Handle Terminal Block for Reduced Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal blocks with elastic handles have a height increase due to the placement of handles at the insertion opening, affecting overall product height and space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The terminal block design incorporates lateral elastic handles integrated into the side of the insulation base, with a spring plate and conducting terminal structure, allowing for reduced height and enhanced practicality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastic handles are placed at the insertion opening of the terminal block, then the elastic handles can press the spring plate to facilitate cable insertion, but the overall height of the terminal block increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic handle is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (at the insertion opening) to a lateral arrangement (at the side opening). This dimensional change allows the handle to extend horizontally from the side of the insulation base rather than vertically from the top, thereby maintaining cable insertion functionality while reducing the overall height of the terminal block.
2Ease of operation
If elastic handles are placed at the insertion opening, then cable insertion is facilitated, but the height increase affects space and cost efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the elastic handle to the lateral side of the insulation base, the design changes the spatial arrangement from a vertical extension to a horizontal extension. This dimensional shift reduces the vertical dimension (height) and overall volume occupied by the terminal block, thereby improving space and cost efficiency while preserving the cable insertion function.
3Ease of operation
If the clamping portion is disposed at the insertion opening, then the spring plate can be pressed effectively, but the device complexity increases due to separate handle components
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic handle is integrated with the insulation base as a single unified component. The resilience arm is fixed within the insulation base while the clamping portion extends laterally from the side opening, merging what were previously separate elements into one integrated structure. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate handle components while maintaining the spring plate pressing function.
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 design maintains a lower overall height while facilitating cable insertion and electrical connection, enhancing space efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the resilience arm of the elastic handle is fixed in the insulation base so that the clamping portion is movably disposed at the side opening
Data Source
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AI summary
A terminal block has an insertion opening (101) and an exit opening (102) disposed at opposite sides of the insulation base (10). A side opening (103) is located at an outer surface of the insulation base (10) between the insertion opening (101) and the exit opening (102). A conducting terminal structure (20) includes a first conductive sheet (21) and a second conductive sheet (22) connected to the first conductive sheet (21). The first conductive sheet (21) is extended with a stopping plate (211). A spring plate (30) includes an abutting section (31) abutted against the stopping plate (211) elastically. An elastic handle includes a clamping portion (41) and a resilience arm (42). The resilience arm (42) is fixed to the insulation base (10), and the clamping portion (41) presses the abutting section (31). Thereby, the height of the terminal block can be reduced for saving space and cost.