Screwless Terminal Push-In Cable Connection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting lead wires to circuit breakers require screwing, which increases installation time and inefficiency, and lack a simplified insertion and release mechanism for both flexible and rigid wires.
Innovation Solution
A screwless terminal arrangement comprising a housing, guide, current bar, leaf spring, and moveable operator, where the guide supports the current bar, the leaf spring clamps cables, and the operator allows for easy release of cables from contact with the current bar, utilizing injection-molded polymer housing and resilient materials for efficient cable management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screwing method is used to connect lead wire to circuit breaker, then connection reliability is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the screw fastening mechanism from the terminal connection system, extracting only the essential clamping function. The leaf spring provides direct cable clamping without requiring screws, thereby eliminating the time-consuming screwing operation while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the spring's clamping force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic leaf spring mechanism that can be easily actuated to open and close the clamping action. The operator allows the leaf spring to be dynamically adjusted between clamped and released states, enabling quick connection and disconnection while maintaining secure connection during operation, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and installation time.
2Loss of time
If spring clips are used for screwless connection, then installation time is reduced, but ease of operation is worsened due to lack of simplified release mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an operator as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the user and the leaf spring clamping system. This operator provides a simplified interface for actuating the release mechanism, allowing users to easily open and close the cable connection without directly manipulating the spring clips, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining quick installation capability.
3Device complexity
If traditional screw terminals are used, then device complexity is low, but productivity decreases due to increased installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the terminal into distinct functional components: the housing, guide, current bar, leaf spring, and operator. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently - the guide directs cable insertion, the leaf spring provides clamping force, and the operator enables easy release - thereby improving installation efficiency without significantly increasing overall device complexity through modular design.
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 solution significantly reduces installation time and enhances efficiency by enabling quick and secure connection and disconnection of both flexible and rigid wires using a push-in mechanism, improving the overall installation process for circuit breakers.
Implementation Method 1
The leaf spring comprises at least one limb with an offset for clamping a cable to the current bar
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
According to a preferred embodiment, a terminal for electrical leads comprises a housing (1), a guide (4), a current bar (3), a leaf spring and a moveable operator (2). The guide (4) is supported by the housing (1) and comprises guide surfaces that connect with at least one surface of the current bar (3). The leaf spring comprises at least one limb (42) with an offset for clamping a cable to the current bar (3), Additionally, the terminal comprises a moveable operator (2) dimensioned and configured to allow the release of a cable from contact with the current bar (3).