Lever-Actuated Connection Clip With Self-Locking Spring Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection terminals are complex and uncomfortable to use, with elaborate structures that reduce the ease of connecting and disconnecting electrical conductors due to their reliance on tensile forces to open and close clamping springs.
Innovation Solution
A connection terminal design that uses a compressive force applied through an actuating lever to directly actuate the clamping leg via an integrated actuation tab, preventing energy loss and allowing for a self-locking mechanism that simplifies the structure and enhances user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tensile force mechanism is used to open and close the clamping spring, then the connection terminal can function, but the structure becomes complex and elaborate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional tensile force mechanism by using a compressive force mechanism instead. The actuating lever applies a compressive force to the actuating tab, which directly actuates the clamping spring to open and close the clamping contact. This inversion simplifies the structure by eliminating the need for complex tension transmission elements while maintaining reliable connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate elements from the force transmission path. By applying the compressive force directly to the actuating tab that is integrally connected to the clamping spring, the design removes redundant components that would otherwise be needed to transmit tensile forces, thereby reducing structural complexity while preserving functionality.
2Ease of operation
If additional elements independent of the clamping spring are used to transmit force, then the clamping spring can be actuated, but energy loss occurs and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuating tab with the clamping spring into a single integrated component. The actuating tab is directly connected to the clamping spring, forming an integral structure that eliminates intermediate force transmission elements. This merging ensures that the compressive force applied by the actuating lever is transmitted directly to the clamping spring without energy loss, improving operational efficiency while maintaining ease of use.
3Reliability
If the pressure point is arranged below the pivot axis, then the actuating lever can apply force, but the lever cannot self-lock in the open position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-locking mechanism where the actuating lever automatically maintains the clamping spring in the open position without requiring additional locking components or user intervention. By positioning the pressure point above the pivot axis, the compressive force creates a mechanical advantage that causes the lever to naturally rest in the open position, providing self-service functionality that enhances reliability while avoiding added complexity.
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 achieves a secure and efficient connection/disconnection of conductors with reduced complexity, improving user comfort and safety by maintaining the actuating lever in the open position without user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping spring (12) arranged in the housing (10) and having a movable clamping leg (18) by means of which the clamping spring (12) can clamp a conductor inserted into the housing (10) against a current bar (11) in a closed position
Implementation Method 2
a compressive force FD is applied by the actuating lever (13) to the actuating tab (24), wherein the actuating tab (24) has a connection region (26) arranged directly on the clamping leg (18) and a pressure region (27) arranged on the connection region (26)
Implementation Method 3
the actuating lever (13) is held in a self-locking manner in the open position, wherein the self-locking is formed in that in the open position a pressure point PD acting on the actuating tab (24) when the pressure force FD is applied by means of the actuating lever (13) is arranged above a pivot axis of the actuating lever (13)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a connection clip (100) for connecting an electrical conductor to a housing (10), a current bar (11) arranged in the housing (10), a clip spring (12) arranged in the housing (10), and a pivotally mounted actuation lever (13), wherein the clip spring (12) can be transferred into an open position and into a closed position with a pivotal movement of the actuation lever (13), wherein the clip spring (12) has a clip limb (18) for clipping a conductor introduced into the housing (10) against the current bar (11) in the closed position, wherein an actuation tab (24) is arranged on the clip limb (12) in such a way that, with the transfer of the clip spring (12) from the closed position into the open position, a pressure force FD is applied BY the actuation lever (13) to the actuation tab (24).