Push-in Clamp Retainer With Integrated Spring Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push-in clamp retainers and electric connector elements face challenges in compact design, easy production, and assembly without additional elements, particularly in preventing arcing at high voltage and current, and ensuring reliable operation without complex lever mechanisms or additional conducting elements.
Innovation Solution
A push-in clamp retainer with opposing lateral contractions forming slits to securely attach a spring member, allowing easy assembly and disassembly, and a spring release member that moves from an assembly to an operating position to apply pressure to the lead wire without external force, utilizing a stamped and bent metal sheet design for increased stiffness and anti-corrosion coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional electrically conducting element is inserted into the lead wire receptacle to enable electrical contact, then electrical contact is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical conducting element and the spring member into a single integrated component. The conducting element is formed as one piece with the spring member, eliminating the need for separate components and additional assembly steps while maintaining reliable electrical contact between the lead wire and the connector
2Strength
If riveting or welding is used to attach the spring member to the push-in clamp retainer, then the attachment strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member and push-in clamp retainer are designed as a single integrated component formed by stamping and bending a metal sheet. This eliminates the need for separate attachment processes like riveting or welding, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining structural integrity through the continuous material structure
Solution Approach 2:
The metal sheet is stamped and bent to create distinct functional segments (spring member, retainer walls, lateral contractions) that remain structurally connected. This segmentation provides functional differentiation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a single-piece construction
3Ease of operation
If a lever mechanism is used to release or exert force on the spring member, then the spring member can be moved out of or into the lead wire receptacle, but the device complexity increases and operational reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member is designed to be manually positionable by direct compression. The user can compress the spring member with their fingers to move it into or out of the lead wire receptacle, eliminating the need for complex lever mechanisms. The spring's inherent elasticity provides the necessary force for positioning and maintaining contact
4Device complexity
If the spring member is compressed and held in assembly position without additional means, then the device complexity is reduced, but the operational reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member is pre-compressed during assembly and held in position by the mechanical structure of the push-in clamp retainer. The retainer's geometry and the spring's elastic properties work together to maintain the compressed state, ensuring reliable positioning without additional holding mechanisms
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 provides a compact, easily producible push-in clamp assembly that ensures reliable electrical contact without arcing, allows easy assembly of lead wires, and maintains operational integrity by distributing force evenly through the spring member, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the electric connector element.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member (35) whose first end (37) is attached to the retainer (1) in the at least one lateral contraction (11), and whose second end (39) is a free end extending elastically displaceable into the lead wire receptacle (25)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a push-in clamp retainer (1) for an electric connector element (113) with a lead wire receptacle (25) which is at least partly encircled by a surrounding wall (4). In a lateral direction, a push-in clamp assembly (59) comprising such a push-in clamp retainer (1) and a separate spring member (35) comprising a first end (37) and second end (39), and the invention finally relates to an electric connector element (113) comprising a spring release member (91) and a push-in clamp assembly (59). Such push-in clamp retainers (1) produced by injection molding demand for an additional electrically conducting element (125), push-in clamp assemblies (59) of the prior art fix the spring member (35) by riveting, welding or clamping in or at an inner wall (61) or by form-fitting of the spring member (35) and electric connector elements (113) of the art lack an easy assembly of the lead wire (119). The invention solves these disad-vantages by implementation of at least one receiving member (13) into at least one contraction (11) of the retainer (1), by combining such a retainer (1) with a spring member (35) for the push-in clamp assembly (59) and by adding a spring release member (91) to the push-in clamp assembly (59) to obtain the electric connector element (113).