Spring Clamp for Conductor with Pivoting Leg
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring-loaded terminals face difficulties in easily inserting flexible fine-stranded conductors due to their rigid design, which complicates the assembly process and requires enhanced mechanisms for both insertion and removal.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded terminal with a pivoting clamping leg and a retaining spring, where the retaining spring is pivoted by a pressure surface transverse to the insertion direction, allowing the clamping leg to disengage and engage with the conductor, and a sliding sleeve serves as an insertion aid, facilitating the insertion of flexible conductors. Additionally, a restoring means allows the clamping leg to pivot back to the latched state for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid clamping mechanism is used to secure the conductor, then the clamping force is sufficient, but the insertion of flexible fine-stranded conductors becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping leg is designed to pivot between a latched position (providing strong clamping force) and a retracted position (facilitating easy insertion). This dynamic movement allows the mechanism to adapt its state based on the operational phase, resolving the contradiction between secure clamping and easy insertion of flexible conductors
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple clamping structure is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the mechanism for securing and releasing conductors becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: a clamping leg for securing the conductor, a retaining spring for maintaining the latched state, and a sliding sleeve for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using simple stamping and bending processes, while collectively providing a sophisticated securing and releasing mechanism
3Reliability
If the clamping leg remains in a fixed latched position, then the conductor is securely held, but the conductor cannot be easily removed when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping leg pivots between a latched position (securing the conductor reliably) and a retracted position (enabling easy conductor removal). The retaining spring automatically returns the clamping leg to the latched position after actuation, ensuring the system maintains its secure state while allowing controlled access for removal when needed
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 design simplifies the insertion and removal of both stranded and solid conductors, ensuring easy handling and cost-effective production by using stamped and bent sheet metal components, providing secure clamping and easy access for conductors.
Implementation Method 1
the retaining spring (4) can be pivoted about a second pivot axis (9) in and counter to a second pivot direction (91)
Implementation Method 2
a spring (3) for fixing the electrical conductor (6) in the spring-loaded terminal (1)
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A spring-loaded terminal block (1) designed as a direct plug-in terminal block, in particular for connecting a stranded conductor, comprising a housing (12) and a busbar (2) arranged therein for contacting an electrical conductor (6) and a clamping spring (3) acting as a compression spring for fixing the electrical conductor (6) in the spring-loaded terminal block (1), wherein the clamping spring (3) has a clamping leg (32) pivotable about a pivot axis (8) in a pivoting direction (81), which can be adjusted from a latching state (R) in which it is latched to a holding means (41) by moving the electrical conductor (6) to a clamping state (K) in which it is unlatched from the holding means (41) and presses the electrical conductor (6) against the busbar (2), wherein the spring-loaded terminal block (1) has a sliding sleeve (7) which serves as an insertion aid for the conductor.