Modular Terminal Block With Segmented Housing For Aligned Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical contactors and auxiliary blocks face limitations in modularity and design flexibility, particularly in accommodating multiple aligned push-in connection terminals with bearing surfaces, which restricts their adaptability to varying environments and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
The design features a terminal block with a main part and additional parts, each with offset side housings and central housings, allowing connection terminals to be arranged in distinct parallel rows, along with independent bearing surfaces and clips to guide and limit contact spring deformation, enabling modular and flexible configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If connection terminals are arranged in multiple aligned rows with bearing surfaces, then the electrical device achieves better modularity and adaptability, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a main part and at least one additional part that can be assembled together. The additional part defines a central housing that receives connection terminals, while the main part defines lateral housings. This segmentation allows for modular assembly and easier manufacturing of complex multi-row terminal arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional part with central housing is nested within or attached to the main part with lateral housings, creating a compact multi-row terminal structure. The bearing surfaces are integrated into this nested arrangement, allowing multiple connection terminals to be aligned in rows while sharing common structural elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple aligned connection terminals are integrated with bearing surfaces, then the electrical device achieves better modularity, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into main and additional parts that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This allows each part to be optimized for its specific function and manufactured using appropriate processes, improving overall ease of manufacture while achieving modular multi-row terminal configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing surfaces are pre-integrated into the housing structure during manufacturing of the main and additional parts. This preliminary integration of bearing surfaces eliminates the need for separate installation steps, making the manufacturing process easier while maintaining modular design benefits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connection terminals are arranged in distinct parallel rows, then the adaptability to space constraints improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection terminals are arranged in distinct parallel rows by utilizing the spatial relationship between the main part (lateral housings) and additional part (central housing). This dimensional arrangement allows multiple terminals to be organized in rows along the first direction, improving adaptability to space constraints while using integrated bearing surfaces to manage 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
This configuration enhances modularity and design freedom, allowing for easier integration of multiple aligned connection terminals while maintaining secure electrical connections, improving adaptability to different environments and space constraints.
Implementation Method 1
each connection terminal generally includes a contact spring arranged to open automatically under the action of the insertion of the electrical conductor into the contact spring and then to exert, by elastic return of its material, a pressure force on the electrical conductor
Implementation Method 2
providing one or more bearing surfaces arranged to, on the one hand, guide the deformation of the contact spring during conductor insertion, and on the other hand, limit the deformation of the contact spring to remain below its plastic deformation
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A terminal block for an electrical device, in particular an electrical contactor or an auxiliary unit (10) suitable for coupling to an electrical contactor, comprises a housing (11) formed from an electrically insulating material and having a main portion (20) defining at least one pair of lateral slots (21) offset from each other parallel to a first direction (D1), and in each of which a direct plug-in connection terminal (14) is mounted. The housing comprises at least one additional portion (22) formed from a piece separate from the main portion (20) and defining at least one central slot (23) in which another direct plug-in connection terminal (14) is mounted.Mounting elements (25, 26) ensure the attachment of the additional part (22) to the main part (20) in a functional configuration in which each connection terminal (14) carried by said additional part (22) is located between the connection terminals (14) mounted in the lateral housings (21) delimited by the main part (20) and in which the connection terminals (14) mounted in the lateral housings (21) delimited by the main part (20) and each connection terminal (14) carried by said at least one additional part (22) are arranged along a row oriented along the first direction (D1).