Relay Base Connection Units With Pre-Crimped Sockets and Screw Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing relay bases require cumbersome and time-consuming processes for making and breaking electrical connections, necessitating special tools like crimping tools and extractors, which complicates handling and limits the application spectrum.

Innovation Solution

A relay base with a plurality of connection units, each comprising an electrically conductive socket member, a flexible connector, and an insert with a screw-type terminal, allowing for easy connection and disconnection using a standard screwdriver, eliminating the need for specialized tools and enabling connections with standard cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If special sockets and crimping tools are used to establish electrical connections, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the handling process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the crimping operation from the connection process by using pre-crimped sockets that are already prepared with conductors. This allows the socket to be simply inserted into the relay base without requiring a crimping tool at the installation site, thereby maintaining reliable electrical connection while significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductors are pre-crimped to the sockets before installation, performing the complex crimping action in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for special crimping tools during installation, allowing workers to simply insert the pre-prepared sockets into the relay base, thus improving handling ease while ensuring reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If sockets are crimped and pushed into recesses for electrical connection, then electrical connectivity is established, but removing conductors requires special extractor tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidconductor removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the extractor tool requirement by designing a release mechanism that allows sockets to be removed using simple manual force or basic tools. The socket can be released from the recess through a straightforward extraction action, eliminating the need for specialized extractor tools while maintaining secure connection during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system employs a dynamic retention mechanism where the socket can be firmly held in the recess during operation but can be easily released when needed. This dynamic characteristic allows the same structure to provide both secure electrical connection and easy removal, improving ease of repair without compromising connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If a compact relay base design is implemented, then space efficiency is improved, but the connection units must be densely arranged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay base areaVSAvoidconnection unit arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the connection unit structure, integrating the socket, conductor, and retention mechanism into a single modular component. This merging allows the connection units to be densely arranged in the relay base without increasing overall complexity, as each unit is a self-contained module that can be systematically organized to achieve compact space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4261867B1Relay base
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 HITACHI ENERGY LTD
  • EP4261867B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4261867B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4261867B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a relay base for connection to a plug-in relay (4). The relay base comprises a plurality of connection units. Each connection unit comprises an electrically conductive socket member (6) having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to receive a pin (8) of the relay (4), an electrically conductive flexible connector (10) having a first end and a second end, the first end of the flexible connector being electrically connected to the second end of the socket member, and an electrically conductive insert (20) having a first end and a second end, the first end of the insert being electrically connected to the second end of the flexible connector (10). The second end of the insert (20) is configured as an electrical connectivity receptacle, for example a screw type terminal, comprising a thread for receiving a screw. The configuration of the second end of the insert (20) allows for facilitated making and breaking an electrical connection between the relay (4) and an external wiring.