Screwless Terminal Clamping with Separating Plate Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing installation switching devices with screwless terminal connections can accidentally jam flexible conductors between clamping legs, leading to incorrect insertion and reduced operational safety.

Innovation Solution

The clamping legs are separated by a slot with a separating plate that guides between them, preventing conductors from being inserted at an angle and ensuring they cannot become jammed, and the design allows for independent movement of the clamping legs to prevent incorrect wiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a screwless terminal connection with clamping legs is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to conductor jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connectionVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A separating plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the clamping legs. This plate prevents conductors from becoming jammed between the legs while still allowing the clamping mechanism to function properly. The separating plate acts as a mediator that eliminates the harmful effect of conductor entrapment without compromising the ease of connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If clamping legs are positioned close together, then manufacturing precision is improved, but reliability worsens due to conductor entrapment risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal connection precisionVSAvoidconductor insertion safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal connection space is segmented by introducing a separating plate that divides the area between clamping legs. This segmentation prevents conductors from slipping into the space between legs while maintaining the precise positioning of the clamping mechanism. The separation creates distinct zones that eliminate the entrapment hazard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a separating plate is added to prevent conductor jamming, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidterminal connection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separating plate is designed to serve multiple functions: it prevents conductor jamming, guides conductor insertion, and maintains the structural integrity of the terminal connection. By making this single element multi-functional, the overall device complexity is minimized while still achieving the reliability improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design enhances operational safety by preventing conductor jamming and ensuring correct wiring, as the separating plate and slot configuration prevent conductors from being clamped incorrectly, allowing them to slide through instead.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping spring (12) acting as a compression spring on the conductor ends for clamping at least one conductor end to an abutment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2510581B1Installation switching device having a screwless terminal connection
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 ABB AG(DE)
  • EP2510581B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2510581B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2510581B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an installation switching device (10) having a housing (26), having a screwless terminal connection (11), having a clamp spring (12) comprising two adjacent clamping legs (13, 14), and having a terminal cover part (15) pivotally connected to the housing (26). The clamping legs (13, 14) are separated by a slit (18), and a separator plate (19) is coupled to the terminal cover part (15) coupled to the housing (26), the exposed end thereof being fed into the slit (18) between the two clamping legs (13, 14).