Spring Clamping Busbar Edge for Multi-Core Conductor Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spring-loaded terminal connections struggle to securely hold multi-core conductors, particularly under tensile forces, and may damage conductors due to insufficient holding force.

Innovation Solution

Designing a busbar clamping edge with a radius of less than or equal to 0.2 mm, which acts as a sharp edge to dig into the conductor, combined with a clamping spring, providing additional holding force and ensuring the conductor is securely fixed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a conventional busbar clamping edge is used, then the device structure is simple, but the conductor holding force is insufficient for multi-core conductors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor holding forceVSAvoidbusbar structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The busbar is designed with a localized clamping edge feature that has different geometric properties (small radius ≤0.2mm) compared to the rest of the busbar structure. This local quality enhancement at the clamping edge provides high holding force for multi-core conductors without requiring the entire busbar structure to be complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The busbar clamping edge is pre-formed during busbar manufacturing with a specific small radius (≤0.2mm) to create a sharp edge that will dig into the conductor. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the conductor is inserted, the holding force is immediately effective without requiring additional adjustment or preparation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Force

If the busbar clamping edge radius is increased, then the manufacturing is easier, but the conductor holding force decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor holding forceVSAvoidbusbar edge manufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The critical parameter of the busbar clamping edge radius is precisely controlled to be ≤0.2mm. This parameter change creates a sharp edge that significantly increases the holding force by allowing the edge to dig into the conductor, while still being manufacturable using standard precision forming processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If only spring clamping force is used, then the device structure is simple, but the holding force is insufficient under tensile loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding force under tensile loadVSAvoidclamping mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The solution merges two clamping mechanisms: the spring clamping force from the clamping spring and the mechanical digging force from the sharp busbar clamping edge. This combination provides sufficient holding force under tensile loads while maintaining relatively simple device structure, as both mechanisms work together in the same clamping point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the clamping force is increased to prevent conductor pull-out, then the conductor is securely held, but the conductor may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor secure holdingVSAvoidconductor damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sharp busbar clamping edge (radius ≤0.2mm) is designed to intentionally dig into the conductor, converting what could be considered a harmful concentrating stress into a beneficial mechanical interlocking effect. This digging action increases holding force and reliability while the distributed nature of the clamping point prevents excessive localized damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 solution achieves a high conductor holding force, preventing conductors from being pulled out and minimizing damage, especially for multi-core conductors.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping spring (3a, 3b) arranged at each of the diametrically opposite ends of the busbar (2)... each having a clamping leg (6a, 6b), which extends to a section of the busbar (2), with the clamping leg (6a, 6b) having a spring clamping edge (7a, 7b) and, together with the busbar (2), forming a clamping point for an electrical conductor to be clamped

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

By designing a busbar clamp edge with a very small radius, a spring-loaded terminal connection is created that has a high conductor holding force... the busbar clamping edge can cut into the electrical conductor to be clamped, and the busbar clamping edge thus digs into the electrical conductor to be clamped

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3866265B1Spring force clamping connection
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 WAGO VERW GMBH
  • EP3866265B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3866265B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3866265B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a spring-loaded clamping connection (1) with a busbar (2) and a clamping spring (3a, 3b) which has a clamping leg (6a, 6b), wherein the clamping leg (6a, 6b) extends towards the busbar (2) and has a spring clamping edge (7a, 7b) for clamping an electrical conductor (17), and wherein the busbar (2) has a busbar clamping edge (11a, 11b) for fixing the electrical conductor (17) to be clamped, wherein the busbar clamping edge (11a, 11b) has a radius less than or equal to 0.2 mm.