Direct Plug-In Terminal with Pivoting Release for Clamping Spring Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct plug-in terminals with clamping springs face challenges in efficiently restoring the locking state, often requiring complex adjustment devices or tools, and lack flexibility in actuation direction and force application.
Innovation Solution
A connection terminal design featuring a combination of a pressing element and a pivoting element, where the pivoting element interacts with the pressing element to vary actuation direction and force, allowing the clamping spring to be locked in an open state for easy conductor insertion, and includes a release device that allows the locking state to be restored by the conductor's action, optimizing space and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pressing element is used to restore the locking state, then the locking state can be restored, but the actuation direction and force application are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating device is divided into two functional elements: a pressing element for applying force and a pivoting element for changing actuation direction. This segmentation allows each element to specialize in one aspect of actuation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability by distributing functions across separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting element acts as an intermediary between the external actuation force and the pressing element. It receives actuation in one direction and transforms it into force application in another direction, enabling flexible actuation without requiring the pressing element itself to be repositioned.
2Reliability
If complex adjustment devices are used to restore locking state, then the locking state can be restored, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor end itself serves as the actuating element. When inserted into the terminal, the conductor automatically interacts with the release device to restore the locking state without requiring external tools or complex adjustment mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains reliability while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex device to actively restore the locking state, the system is designed so that the conductor's insertion passively triggers the locking restoration through the release device. This inversion of the conventional approach eliminates the need for complex adjustment devices while ensuring reliable locking.
3Reliability
If the clamping spring is locked in closed state, then secure contact is achieved, but conductor insertion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping spring transitions dynamically between open and closed states based on conductor insertion. The release device enables the spring to open automatically when the conductor is inserted, facilitating easy insertion, then the spring closes to achieve secure contact. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between insertion ease and contact security.
Solution Approach 2:
The release device is pre-configured to automatically open the clamping spring when the conductor is inserted. This preliminary action of opening the spring before contact occurs eliminates insertion resistance, while the subsequent closing action ensures secure contact, thus resolving the contradiction through sequential state changes.
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 solution enables simple and secure actuation of the clamping spring, allowing for easy insertion and removal of conductors with reduced resistance, while optimizing space requirements and providing visual indication of the clamping state, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and usability of direct plug-in terminals.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient clamping spring (4) arranged in a housing (1) and having a clamping leg (7) which can be moved into an open and locking position
Implementation Method 2
The actuating device has a pressing element (14) and a pivoting element (15) which interacts with the pressing element
Data Source
AI summary
A connection terminal for connecting a conductor is formed as a direct plug-in terminal and includes a clamping spring arranged in a housing. The clamping spring includes a resilient clamping leg which can move into an open and locking position by pressing down an actuating device. The housing contains a conductor insertion channel for insertion of the conductor into a clamping point between the free end of the clamping leg and a busbar. The actuating device includes a pressing element and a pivoting element which interacts with the pressing element at least when the clamping point is being opened. At least one release device is provided for releasing the locking state of the clamping leg of the clamping spring. The release device is designed in such a way that the locking position can be released again by the action of the conductor on the release device when it is inserted, wherein the pivoting element acts on the pressing element and the pressing element acts on the clamping leg.