Pivotable Spring Contact Insert for Plug Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact inserts for connectors often require complex screw connections for protective lines, which can be difficult to access and time-consuming to attach, especially when multiple lines need to be connected.
Innovation Solution
A contact insert with a pivotable spring element that acts as a clamping mechanism, allowing for easy connection and locking of protective lines to the grounding element without the need for screws, using a spring-loaded connection that can be easily actuated and released.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw connection is used to connect protective lines to the grounding element, then a reliable and mechanically strong connection is achieved, but the connection becomes difficult to access and time-consuming to attach
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed to be movable between a clamping position (for secure connection) and a release position (for easy detachment). This dynamic mechanism allows the connection to transition from a static screw-fixed state to a flexible spring-loaded state, enabling both reliable connection and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically clamps the protective line against the grounding element when in the clamping position, creating a self-securing connection that maintains reliable electrical contact without requiring manual tightening or additional fastening operations.
2Strength
If a screw connection is used to connect protective lines, then a secure mechanical fastening is achieved, but multiple operating steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The screw connection is completely removed from the contacting device, extracting the time-consuming tightening operation while retaining the essential clamping function through the spring element. This eliminates the need for tools and multiple operating steps while maintaining adequate mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual screw tightening mechanism is replaced with an elastic spring loading system. The spring element provides continuous clamping force through its elastic deformation, substituting the incremental mechanical tightening process with a single insertion motion that automatically engages the clamping mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the spring element is made elastic, then easy connection and release are enabled, but the mechanical strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded during manufacturing or assembly to store elastic energy, creating a ready-to-clamp state. This preliminary action ensures that when the protective line is inserted, the clamping force is immediately applied without requiring additional strengthening measures, balancing ease of operation with adequate mechanical strength.
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
Enables simple and convenient connection of protective lines to the grounding element, eliminating the need for additional operating steps like screwing, and provides a secure, elastic holding force to ensure reliable electrical contact.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (230) that can be pivoted about a pivot axis (D) relative to the grounding element (22)
Implementation Method 2
The spring element of the contacting device is preferably itself made of an electrically conductive (metal) material, so that electrical contact is also established via the spring element (230)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a contact insert (2, 4) for a plug connector part (1, 3) comprising a frame part (20), a plug section (200) arranged on the frame part (20) for plugging connection to a further plug connector part (3, 1), at least one electrical contact element (211, 411) arranged on the plug section (200), and an earthing element (22) arranged on the frame part (20), onto which a grounding wire (25) can be connected. In addition, a contacting device (23) arranged on the earthing element (22) is also provided, comprising a spring element (230) which can pivot about a pivot axis (D) in relation to the earthing element (22), and which has a clamping limb (231) for blocking a grounding wire (25) on the earthing element (22) in a clamping position, and an engaging limb (232) for engaging the spring element (230) with the earthing element (22), wherein the spring element (230) can be moved out of the clamping position by releasing the engagement. In this way, a contact insert for a plug connector part is provided, which permits a simple connection of a grounding wire.