Spring Clamp Terminal with Auto-Release Conductor Insertion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection arrangements for electrical conductors, particularly those with flexible conductors, require manual actuation of a clamping spring to pivot the clamping leg away from the current bar, making installation cumbersome and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A connection arrangement with a clamping spring and a trigger element that allows flexible conductors to be easily connected by pivoting the clamping leg into an open position using an actuating element, which is held in place by a trigger element, and automatically returns to a clamping position upon conductor insertion, facilitated by a spring mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual actuation of the actuating element is required to pivot the clamping spring into the open position for inserting flexible conductors, then the conductor can be inserted into the connection arrangement, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of conductor insertionVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping spring is pre-configured in an open position during assembly, allowing the conductor to be inserted without requiring manual actuation. The trigger element is preliminarily set to release the clamping spring automatically when the conductor is inserted, eliminating the need for separate manual actuation steps and reducing installation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the clamping spring is held in the open position by the trigger element during conductor insertion, then the conductor can be easily inserted, but additional components and complexity are introduced to the connection arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of conductor insertionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger element is integrated with the clamping spring assembly, forming a combined unit where the trigger element is mounted on the clamping spring. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while still providing the automatic release function during conductor insertion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 secure and efficient connection of flexible conductors without manual actuation, simplifying the installation process and ensuring a stable clamping mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping spring arranged in the housing, which has a holding leg and a clamping leg, wherein the clamping leg can be transferred into a clamping position and into an open position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

facilitated by a spring mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4557525A1Connection arrangement and connection terminal
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4557525A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4557525A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4557525A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection arrangement (100) for connecting an electrical conductor (L), comprising a housing (110) having a conductor insertion opening (111), a current bar (112) arranged in the housing (110), a clamping spring (113) arranged in the housing (110), which clamping spring has a holding leg (116) and a clamping leg (117), wherein the clamping leg (117) can be transferred into a clamped position and into an open position, an actuating element (139), by means of which the clamping leg (117) can be transferred from the clamped position into the open position by moving the actuating element (139) along an actuating direction (B), and a triggering element (119), which in the open position of the clamping leg (117) is engaged with the clamping leg (117) in such a way that the clamping leg (117) can be released by means of the triggering element (119) in the open position and which is pivotally mounted on the clamping spring (113) in such a way thatthat when the conductor (L) to be connected is inserted into the conductor insertion opening (111) in the insertion direction (E), the triggering element (119) can be actuated via a pressure surface (120) of the triggering element (119) in such a way that the clamping leg (117) is disengaged from the triggering element (119) and pivots from the open position into the clamping position, wherein the triggering element (119) has a triggering arm (137) which can be actuated by means of the actuating element (139) in such a way that the clamping leg (117) is disengaged from the triggering element (119) and pivots from the open position into the clamping position.