Spring Clamp Terminal Actuation for Compact Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring-loaded terminal connections lack a compact and optimized design for actuating force transmission, leading to inefficient clamping and potential damage from excessive force.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded terminal connection with a linearly displaceable actuating element that applies force to the clamping spring's actuating section away from the contact leg, allowing for a compact and ergonomic design with a pivotable actuating lever that can move into an overpressure position without detaching, featuring a guide contour and stop surfaces for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional actuating mechanism is used for the clamping spring, then the terminal connection can be actuated, but the design is not compact and force transmission is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is integrated directly with the clamping spring structure, merging the actuation mechanism with the clamping mechanism. The actuating element forms part of the clamping spring assembly, eliminating separate actuating components and reducing overall device complexity while achieving compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element serves as an intermediary component that translates external actuating force into controlled movement of the clamping leg. It mediates between the external actuator and the clamping spring, providing optimized force transmission through its specific geometric design and positioning.
2Volume of moving object
If the actuating element is positioned close to the clamping point for compactness, then the design is more compact, but the force transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is positioned in a spatial arrangement that optimizes force transmission leverage. By strategically locating the actuating element at a specific distance and angle from the clamping point, the design achieves both compactness and effective force transmission through three-dimensional spatial optimization rather than simple linear proximity.
3Ease of operation
If the actuating element can move freely for ease of operation, then the terminal is easier to actuate, but damage from excessive force cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The guide contour and stop surfaces are pre-configured to limit the movement range of the actuating element. These features provide beforehand protection by preventing the actuating element from moving beyond safe limits, cushioning against excessive force application before damage can occur to the clamping spring or other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide contour and stop surfaces automatically regulate the actuating element's movement without requiring external control mechanisms. The structure itself provides the limiting function through its geometric design, making the system self-regulating and preventing excessive force application through its own inherent features.
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 enables efficient force transmission, prevents damage from excessive force, and provides ergonomic handling with a compact and reliable clamping mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping spring (3) having a contact leg (5), a spring arch (13), a clamping leg (9) and an actuating section (15)
Implementation Method 2
an actuating element (14) which is mounted in the insulating housing (2) for linear displacement and which is designed to apply force to the actuating section (15)
Data Source
Figure 1a)
Figure 1b)
Figure 2a)
AI summary
The invention describes a spring-loaded clamping connection (1) for clamping an electrical conductor (8), having an insulating-material housing (2), a busbar (4) and a clamping spring (3). The clamping spring (3) has a contact limb (5), a spring bow (13), a clamping limb (9) and an operating section (15). The clamping limb (9) has a clamping edge (10). The clamping edge (10) forms, with the busbar (4), a clamping point for clamping the electrical conductor (8) between the clamping edge (10) and the busbar (4). An operating element (14, 35) is movably mounted in the insulating-material housing (2) and designed to apply force to the operating section (15). The operating element (14, 35) is mounted in the insulating-material housing (2) in a linearly displaceable manner and extends from the operating section (15) of the clamping spring (3) beyond a plane which is spanned by the bearing surface of the contact limb (5) on the busbar (4) or on the insulating-material housing (2). The operating element (14, 35) is designed to apply force to the operating section (15) of the clamping spring (3) on that side of the operating section (15) which is averted from the bearing surface of the contact limb (5) on the busbar (4).