Spring Clamp Connection for Flexible Conductor Auto-Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection arrangements for electrical conductors, particularly those with flexible conductors, require manual actuation of an actuating element to pivot the clamping spring away from the busbar for conductor insertion and subsequent clamping, making the process cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A connection arrangement featuring a housing, busbar, clamping spring, guide element, release element, and actuating element, where the guide element holds the clamping leg in a release position until the release element is actuated by the conductor's insertion, allowing the clamping leg to pivot into a clamping position without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual actuation of the actuating element is required to pivot the clamping spring away from the busbar for conductor insertion, then the connection arrangement can reliably clamp the conductor, but the handling becomes cumbersome and the connection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor itself acts as the actuating element. When the conductor is inserted into the connection space, it automatically actuates the clamping spring through its own insertion movement, causing the clamping leg to pivot from the clamping position to the release position. This eliminates the need for separate manual actuation of an actuating element, while still ensuring reliable clamping when the conductor is properly inserted.
2Reliability
If manual actuation is required to move the clamping spring from release position to clamping position, then the conductor can be securely clamped, but the connection process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion movement of the conductor automatically triggers the clamping action. As the conductor is inserted, it engages with the clamping spring mechanism, causing the clamping leg to pivot into the clamping position through the force of insertion itself. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for separate manual operations, thereby increasing connection speed while maintaining secure clamping.
3Ease of operation
If the clamping spring is held in release position by the guide element until conductor insertion, then flexible conductors can be easily inserted, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element serves as an intermediary component that temporarily holds the clamping leg in the release position during conductor insertion. This guide element works in conjunction with the actuating element to create a staged operation: first allowing easy insertion by holding the clamping leg away, then automatically transitioning to the clamping position when the conductor is properly inserted. This intermediary mechanism adds some complexity but enables flexible conductor handling.
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
Enables the simple and efficient connection of flexible conductors by eliminating the need for manual actuation of the actuating element, reducing handling complexity and saving time during the connection process.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping spring (111) comprising a clamping leg (113) which can be transferred into a clamping position and into a release position
Data Source
AI summary
A connection arrangement for connecting an electrical conductor includes: a housing; a busbar; a clamping spring including a clamping leg transferrable into a clamping position and into a release position; a conductor connection space formed between a section of the busbar and the clamping leg of the clamping spring; a displaceably arranged guide element, which is in operative connection with the clamping leg of the clamping spring, the clamping leg being holdable in the release position by the guide element; a release element, which, in the release position of the clamping leg of the clamping spring, is in engagement with the guide element, the release element during insertion of the conductor to be connected into the conductor connection space being actuatable thereby such that the release element comes out of engagement with the guide element and the guide element is displaceable by a spring force of the clamping leg.