Rotating Terminal for Continuous Ground Conductor Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection terminals for continuous electrical conductors, such as ground wires, are not easily handled or quickly connectable without separating the conductor, posing challenges in safe and efficient grounding of electrical equipment.
Innovation Solution
A connection terminal with a rotatably mounted holding means that can be adjusted from an open to a closed position to securely clamp a continuous electrical conductor, using a clamping screw for secure retention and featuring a design that allows easy insertion and complete encirclement of the conductor, ensuring stability under vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional screw clamp with pivoting legs is used to connect a continuous electrical conductor, then the connection can be secured, but the connection process is time-consuming and requires disconnecting the conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is designed to be rotatable between an open position (for easy conductor insertion) and a closed position (for secure connection), enabling dynamic adjustment during the connection process without requiring conductor disconnection
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element is divided into two legs that can be positioned independently - one leg enters the recess first to guide the conductor, while the other leg provides clamping force, allowing sequential engagement that speeds up connection
2Productivity
If a rotatable holding element is used to enable quick connection, then connection speed is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides conductor guidance through one leg, clamping force through the other leg, and rotational movement for position adjustment, eliminating the need for separate guiding and clamping mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element's own rotational movement and leg configuration enable it to guide and secure the conductor without requiring additional external guiding components or complex adjustment mechanisms
3Reliability
If the holding element is designed to completely surround the conductor for secure retention, then connection reliability under vibration is improved, but the ease of insertion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element transitions from an open position (where legs are separated for easy conductor insertion) to a closed position (where legs converge to completely surround the conductor), providing both ease of insertion and secure retention dynamically
Solution Approach 2:
One leg of the holding element enters the recess before the other during the closing rotation, preliminarily guiding and positioning the conductor before the second leg engages to provide complete surrounding and secure clamping
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 quick, secure, and vibration-resistant connection of electrical devices to continuous ground conductors, ensuring reliable electrical contact without the need for additional components, and accommodating various conductor cross-sections.
Implementation Method 1
The clamping element prevents unintentional movement of the holding element from the closed to the open position, thus ensuring that the electrical conductor is securely held in the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The holding device is rotatably mounted. To position the holding element in the recess, it is preferred that it has a support surface for placing the electrical conductor in the open position
Implementation Method 3
The clamping element is a clamping screw that is adjustable in and against a clamping direction transverse to its direction of extension, thus securing the contact position particularly well and easily
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
Connection terminal (1) for connecting an electrical device to a continuous electrical conductor (5), in particular a ground conductor, comprising a connector body (2) which has at least one terminal connection (20), comprising a recess (21) which extends in a direction of extension (43) of the electrical conductor (5), and comprising a holding means (31) which is provided for at least partial closing of the recess (21), wherein the holding means is reversibly adjustable from an open position (O), in which the electrical conductor (5) can be inserted into the recess (21), into a closed position (G), in which the holding means (31) holds the electrical conductor (5) in the recess (21) in a radial direction (40) around the direction of extension (43), wherein the holding means (31) is provided to be either reversibly rotatable in a direction of rotation (41) around an axis (4) which extends in the direction of extension (41), or reversibly displaceable in a sliding direction which extends transverse to the direction of extension (43), and the terminal connection (20) has clamping means (33) which clamps the electrical conductor (5) and/or the holding means (31) in the closed position (G) of the holding means (31).