S-Shaped Spring Terminal for Compact LED Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting terminals for electrical conductors are too bulky and lack efficient mechanisms for securely clamping conductors of varying diameters, particularly in LED applications, where a small design and easy handling are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A compact connecting terminal with a housing, a pusher, and an S-shaped spring element that allows for a greater opening path with minimal lever travel, ensuring secure clamping of conductors with diameters from 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, featuring a guided lever to prevent tilting and a locking mechanism to prevent the pusher from falling out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a conventional terminal block design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the height is too large and it cannot achieve compact design
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed with an S-shape configuration that enables dynamic deformation during push button actuation. The spring element deforms from its initial state, allowing the conductor terminal to open sufficiently for conductor removal while maintaining a compact overall height. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between compact size and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element utilizes multi-point deformation including contact with the mounting plate during actuation. By engaging the spring element at multiple locations and utilizing deformation in different spatial dimensions, the design achieves greater opening travel for the conductor terminal than the push button travel distance, enabling compact height while maintaining ease of conductor insertion and removal.
2Length of stationary object
If the push button travel is limited for compact design, then the overall height is reduced, but the opening path of the conductor terminal is insufficient for secure clamping
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed to deform dynamically during push button actuation, converting limited linear push button travel into greater opening path through elastic deformation. The S-shaped spring element absorbs and amplifies the actuation movement, achieving sufficient conductor terminal opening despite constrained push button travel distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element engages with the mounting plate at multiple points during deformation, utilizing three-dimensional space and multi-axis movement to convert limited push button travel into greater opening path. This multi-point contact and deformation approach allows the conductor terminal to open further than the push button travels, resolving the dimensional constraint.
3Length of moving object
If a longer spring leg is used to increase opening path, then the opening travel is sufficient, but the overall height and form factor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element's elastic properties enable it to store and release mechanical energy during actuation. By designing the spring element with appropriate stiffness and geometry, the system achieves sufficient opening travel through controlled deformation without requiring excessive leg length, maintaining compact overall height while ensuring adequate conductor terminal opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element utilizes multi-point deformation and engages with the mounting plate during actuation to amplify the opening motion. This approach allows the system to achieve greater opening travel than the physical leg length would suggest, effectively decoupling opening path from overall height through clever geometric design and multi-dimensional deformation.
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 secure clamping of rigid and flexible conductors with different diameters in a very low-profile design, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining a small overall height, suitable for LED applications.
Implementation Method 1
The spring element has an S-shape, with a support area that can rest on the mounting plate after partial actuation of the push button, and a spring leg against which the push button rests in such a way that the spring leg is pressed in the direction of the actuating force during a further actuation of the push button following the partial actuation, while the other parts of the spring element are already in their end positions.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5~6b
AI summary
The invention relates to a contacting or connection terminal for electrically connecting at least one conductor (26) and at least one electrical contact body, said terminal having a housing (2) in which the contact body is arranged, and at least one pressing member (3), wherein the electrical contact body comprises a clamping conductor connector for the at least one electrical conductor (26) and has at least one punched part (5), said punched part (5) having at least one spring element (6) for the clamping conductor connector. An actuation of the pressing member (3) acts on the spring element (6) and enables an opening of the clamping conductor connector, wherein the opening path of the clamping conductor connector (WF), due to actuation of the pressing member (3), is greater than the pressing member path (WD), at least in one portion. The invention also relates to a circuit board and a luminaire with a contacting or connection terminal according to the invention.