Screwless Terminal Block Acute Angle Screwdriver Slot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screwless terminal blocks require workers to use both hands to insert or remove wires, making the process difficult and complicated due to the need to hold a screwdriver and wire simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A screwless terminal block design featuring a resin housing with a slotted screwdriver insertion opening that forms an acute angle with the wire insertion opening, allowing a slotted screwdriver to be inserted to deform an elastic member and apply force, reducing the pressure on the housing and enabling stable support for easy wire insertion and removal without manual stabilization of the screwdriver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screwless terminal block uses a release button mechanism requiring two hands for wire insertion and removal, then the wire can be securely fixed, but the ease of operation deteriorates as workers must hold both a screwdriver and wire simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire fixation securityVSAvoidwire insertion and removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal block enables single-handed operation by allowing the wire to be inserted and removed independently without requiring the worker to simultaneously hold and manipulate both the screwdriver and wire. The release button mechanism is designed to be actuated by the thumb while the index finger operates the screwdriver, making the system serve itself during the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the slotted screwdriver insertion opening is designed with a specific acute angle geometry, then the ease of operation improves by enabling stable single-handed support, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to specific angle constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrewdriver insertion easeVSAvoidangle geometry precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention specifies a particular acute angle range (45 degrees or less) between the axis of the slotted screwdriver and the straight line connecting points A and B. This parameter change optimizes the mechanical advantage and stability during operation, allowing the screwdriver to be properly supported by the housing at points A and B while maintaining manufacturability within reasonable tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the distance between plane X and point B is increased to reduce force on the housing, then the ease of operation improves by reducing distortion, but the device complexity increases due to additional geometric constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing stabilityVSAvoidgeometric constraint complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a specific geometric relationship in three-dimensional space by defining the acute angle between the screwdriver axis and the line connecting points A and B, and by specifying the distance relationship between plane X and point B. This dimensional approach allows the force reduction to be achieved through spatial configuration rather than adding complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design allows for easy and stable insertion or removal of wires, reducing the complexity and difficulty of the process by distributing the force effectively and preventing distortion of the resin housing, thus enabling single-handed operation.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member that comes in contact with the wire inserted through the wire insertion opening and applies a force to the wire in a predetermined pressing direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The slotted screwdriver receives a force from the elastic member to rotate about point A

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP3217478B1Screwless terminal block
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 OMRON CORP
  • EP3217478B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3217478B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3217478B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A screwless terminal block allows easy insertion and removal of a wire. A housing (2) includes a fixture insertion opening (23) through which a rod-like fixture (6) is inserted to come in contact with a contact pressure spring (4) and deform the contact pressure spring (4) away from a wire (5). When the fixture (6) is inserted through the fixture insertion opening (23), an acute angle of 45° or less is formed by an axis of the fixture (6) and a straight line connecting a contact point A between the housing (2) and a part of the fixture (6) adjacent to the wire insertion opening (24) and a contact point B between the housing (2) and a part of the fixture (6) adjacent to the contact pressure spring (4) at a cross-section taken along a plane including the axis of the fixture (6) and parallel to a pressing direction of the pressure spring (4).