Spring Connection Terminal With Auto-Triggered Conductor Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection arrangements for electrical conductors, particularly those with clamping springs, require manual actuation to open and close the clamping leg, making it cumbersome and time-consuming to connect flexible conductors.

Innovation Solution

A connection arrangement featuring a housing, a current bar, a clamping spring with a holding and clamping leg, and an actuating element, along with a trigger element that engages with the clamping leg to hold it in the open position until the conductor is inserted, allowing automatic pivoting into the clamping position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual actuation of the actuating element is required to open and close the clamping leg, then the connection arrangement can reliably clamp conductors, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable clampingVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger element is pre-positioned to automatically engage with the clamping leg when the conductor is inserted, eliminating the need for manual actuation. The conductor itself triggers the clamping action by engaging the trigger element, which then automatically moves the clamping leg from open to closed position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the conductor being connected as the actuating force. The conductor engages the trigger element directly, and the spring force of the clamping spring provides the necessary motion to clamp the conductor automatically, making the system self-actuating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the clamping spring is moved into open position by actuating element, then flexible conductors can be inserted, but the process requires two manual actuations which increases installation time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to connect flexible conductorsVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor insertion process itself triggers the clamping action. When the flexible conductor is inserted, it engages the trigger element which automatically releases the clamping leg to clamp the conductor, eliminating the need for separate manual actuation steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger element is pre-configured to be disengageable by the conductor, and the clamping spring is pre-loaded to provide automatic clamping motion. This preliminary arrangement allows the system to respond automatically to conductor insertion without requiring additional manual operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 easy and secure connection of flexible conductors without the need for manual actuation of the clamping spring, simplifying the installation process and reducing time and effort.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4572023A1Connection arrangement and connection terminal
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4572023A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4572023A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4572023A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection arrangement (100) for connecting an electrical conductor, 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 upon movement of the actuating element (139) in 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 in the open position by means of the triggering element (119). and which can be pivoted in such a waythat when the conductor to be connected is inserted into the conductor insertion opening (111) in the insertion direction (E), the triggering element (119) can be actuated 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 actuating element (139) has an actuating arm (142), wherein if the triggering element (119) is not triggered by the conductor to be connected, the actuating arm (142) of the actuating element (139) cooperates with 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.