Spring Terminal Pusher Locking for Low-Force Conductor Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring-loaded terminals for electrical conductors face challenges in easy release from the latching state, requiring significant force and complex structural designs, especially when dealing with stranded conductors, and lack a compact and efficient mechanism for locking and unlocking.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded clamp design featuring a pusher with a hook-like locking edge and a trigger element arranged perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction, allowing for easy release with minimal force, and a compact structure with shared axes of rotation for the pusher and trigger element, enabling indirect locking and unlocking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking edge on the housing is used to lock the push-button, then the locking state is secure, but the release requires significant force and complex structural design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trigger element as an intermediary between the conductor and the push-button locking mechanism. The trigger element translates the insertion force of the conductor into a mechanical action that releases the push-button from its locked position on the busbar, enabling easy release without requiring significant force on the housing locking edge.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of releasing the lock by pulling or pushing the push-button directly against the locking edge, the patent inverts the release mechanism: the conductor itself, when inserted, activates the trigger element which then releases the lock. The locking edge on the busbar serves as the release point rather than the holding point.
2Reliability
If a complex release mechanism is used to release the clamping leg, then the locking is secure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service release mechanism where the conductor insertion process itself triggers the release of the clamping leg. The trigger element is automatically activated by the conductor, which then releases the push-button and subsequently releases the clamping leg, eliminating the need for separate manual release operations or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger element is pre-positioned and pre-loaded within the housing such that upon conductor insertion, it immediately translates the insertion motion into the sequence of release actions. This preliminary positioning ensures that the complex release sequence is initiated automatically without requiring additional components or control logic.
3Device complexity
If the trigger element is arranged parallel to the conductor insertion direction, then the structure is simple, but the release force requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the trigger element perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction, utilizing a different spatial dimension for force transmission. This perpendicular arrangement allows the trigger element to efficiently convert the insertion force into a releasing action on the push-button, reducing the required release force compared to a parallel arrangement.
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
The design facilitates easy and reliable release of the clamping leg from the latching state with low force, suitable for both solid and stranded conductors, while maintaining a compact and efficient structural configuration, enhancing operational simplicity and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping spring (7) and a busbar (8) which are arranged to form a direct plug connection (2)
Implementation Method 2
a pusher (11) which is arranged in the actuating channel (6) and which has a locking edge (11h) with which it can be locked in the interior of the housing (3) on a locking hook (81) of the busbar (8)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a spring terminal (1), in particular a direct plug-in terminal, for connecting a conductor (10) which can be designed as a flexible stranded conductor, having at least the following features: a. a housing (3) with a chamber (4) and an insertion channel (5) for inserting the conductor into the chamber (4), b. a busbar (8) and/or a clamping cage (13), and c. a clamping spring (7) which is arranged in the chamber (4), acts as a pressure spring, and comprises a clamping limb, said clamping limb (7b) being releasable out of the latching state (R) by a pusher, d. wherein the pusher (11) has a latching edge (11h) on which the pusher can be latched in the interior of the housing (3) on a latching hook (81) of the busbar (8) or another element arranged in the housing in the latching state (R), and the pusher correspondingly holds the clamping spring (7) in a latched manner in the open position. The latching edge (11h) of the pusher (11) can be released out of the latching state (R) by an opposite movement.