Rail-Mounted Terminal With Sliding Translation For Easy Disassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical devices mounted on rails with distribution combs face difficulties in disassembly due to the elastic connection mode, which prevents translation from the rear to the front and makes it hard to disengage from rear stops, especially when trying to dismantle them from top to bottom.

Innovation Solution

The electrical device features a simple terminal design allowing quick connection and disconnection, with a recess in the rear face and removable stops, enabling easy sliding and translation movements to disconnect from the comb, along with a flexible connection pad and screw-type connection means for cable management, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining connection to the comb.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastic connection mode is used to connect device to comb, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but device cannot be translated from rear to front and disassembly becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into two independent parts: the elastic connection between the pad and comb tooth remains in place for reliable electrical connection, while the device can be independently translated on the rail for disassembly. This segmentation allows the electrical connection function to be separated from the mechanical mounting function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates dynamic translation capability along the rail that is independent of the elastic connection. The device can move dynamically on the rail while maintaining static elastic contact with the comb, enabling easy disassembly without compromising electrical connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If removable stop with long stroke is provided to enable device removal, then device disassembly is facilitated, but volume under the devices is not used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice removal easeVSAvoidspace utilization under devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing long-stroke removable stops that extend vertically, the patent uses the horizontal dimension of the rail for device translation and removal. The device translates along the rail in a direction parallel to the comb, utilizing horizontal space rather than vertical space, thereby maintaining efficient use of volume under the devices.

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

3Ease of operation

If connection lugs mounted on device are used and plugged into distribution rail, then device removal is facilitated, but comb presence becomes less troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice removal easeVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of mounting connection lugs on the device that plug into the rail (device-initiated connection), the patent inverts the approach by having the comb teeth engage with pads on the device (comb-initiated connection). This inversion simplifies the device structure while maintaining easy removal capability through rail translation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 allows for easy disconnection and reassembly of the device on the rail without forcing the comb, utilizing translational movements to withdraw teeth from the device, and prevents cable connection when the device is dismantled from the rail, optimizing space usage under the devices.

Implementation Method 1

a spring adapted to bear on the one hand on the second wing (27) of the U and on the other hand, on a tooth (29) of the comb

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2849288B1Electric apparatus supplied by a comb and comprising at least one terminal
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP2849288B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2849288B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2849288B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electric connection terminal (6, 7) which is aimed at installation electrical devices designed to be mounted on a mounting bracket R together with other similar devices, to a distribution comb P capable of distributing energy between the devices. The electric connection terminal (6, 7) is characterized in that it is slidably installed in its housing (21) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane Q of the mounting bracket R and to the longitudinal direction I of the comb P, along a length e stroke sufficient to allow the apparatus to be completely disengaged from the mounting bracket R while the comb P remains in place. In this way, the apparatus can be moved in translation parallel to the plane Q of the R mounting bracket and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the comb P in the direction allowing a disconnection of the tooth (29) corresponding of the comb P from a unit A.