Low Profile Electrical Terminal Assembly Stacked Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular electrical power systems require low-profile electrical terminals to minimize thickness and allow for flexible routing of power in work areas, especially in exposed locations like floors or walls, while avoiding inadvertent contact and electrical shorts.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile electrical terminal assembly with stacked conductive main bodies and insulating layers, where conductor arms radiate outwardly from central bodies, positioning electrical terminals in a common plane to minimize thickness and prevent contact, using offset branches and insulative bodies to ensure separation and prevent shorts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If multiple conductive bodies are stacked close together to minimize thickness, then the overall profile is reduced, but the risk of inadvertent contact and electrical shorts increases
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating body is positioned between the first and second conductive bodies to prevent electrical contact. The insulating body acts as an intermediary that maintains electrical isolation while allowing the conductive bodies to be stacked in close proximity, thus resolving the contradiction between minimizing thickness and preventing electrical shorts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conductor arms are arranged to radiate outwardly from central bodies, then electrical connections can be established in multiple directions, but the lateral space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor arms extend radially outwardly from central bodies in a planar arrangement, utilizing two-dimensional space efficiently. This radial configuration allows electrical connections to be established in multiple directions without requiring excessive lateral space, as the arms radiate from a central point rather than requiring linear extension in each direction.
3Length of stationary object
If electrical terminals are positioned in a common plane, then the assembly thickness is minimized, but the complexity of positioning and aligning multiple conductive bodies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical terminal assembly is divided into multiple conductive bodies, each with its own central body and conductor arms. This segmentation allows each conductive body to be independently positioned and aligned, with the insulating body facilitating the stacking arrangement. The segmented structure simplifies the achievement of common terminal plane alignment compared to a monolithic design.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical terminal assembly is provided for use in a low-profile electrical raceway or the like. The terminal assembly includes first and second conductive bodies and an insulator disposed between them. The first body has at least two branches including respective electrical terminals extending outwardly from a main or central portion, with the terminals positioned in a terminal plane. The second body also has at least two branches including respective electrical terminals extending outwardly from a main or central portion, with the terminals positioned in the same terminal plane as the terminals of the first body. The terminals of the second body are positioned next to respective terminals of the first body. The central portions of the first and second bodies are stacked atop one another and therefore lie in different planes, at least one of which is different from the terminal plane.