Quick-Acting Wire Terminals for Wrap-Around Strap Wiring Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiring devices, particularly commercial or industrial grade electrical receptacles and three-way switches, face challenges in incorporating quick connect wire terminals, especially when using wrap-around straps, due to complex assembly requirements and difficulties in coupling with ground contacts.
Innovation Solution
A novel system and method for assembling electrical receptacles and switches using a wrap-around electrical strap and wire terminal, featuring a spring clamp with an actuator that manipulates between positions to securely engage and retain electrical wires, and a ground tab for easy integration with ground wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If quick connect wire terminals are incorporated into commercial or industrial grade electrical receptacles with wrap-around straps, then wire installation speed and ease is improved, but assembly complexity and difficulty in coupling with ground contacts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wire terminal is divided into separate functional components: a clamp body for securing the wire, an actuator for operation, and a ground contact portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall assembly process while maintaining quick-connect functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the wire clamping function and ground contact function into a single integrated terminal structure. The clamp body simultaneously provides both the wire retention mechanism and the ground contact pathway, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If a spring clamp with actuator is used to secure electrical wires, then wire retention reliability is improved, but the number of components and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clamp, actuator, and ground contact are merged into a single integrated terminal body. The clamp body includes both the wire retention mechanism and the ground contact portion, reducing the total component count while maintaining reliable wire securing through the spring-loaded clamp design.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the wire clamping mechanism, establishes the ground contact pathway, and incorporates the actuator linkage. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while ensuring reliable wire retention.
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
Facilitates quick and easy installation of electrical wires in wiring devices, enhancing assembly efficiency and improving mechanical and electrical contact retention, particularly in devices with wrap-around straps.
Implementation Method 1
a spring clamp arranged and configured to apply a clamping force on the electrical wire between the electrical terminal and the spring clamp
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to wiring devices. In some embodiments, the wiring device may include wire terminals and/or termination mechanisms arranged and configured to electrically and mechanically couple an electrical wire to the wiring device. In some embodiments, the wiring device may be in the form of a commercial or industrial grade electrical receptacle including a wrap-around strap. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the wiring device may be in the form of a three-way switch. In addition, and/or alternatively, an improved spring clamp is disclosed.