Multifunction Terminal Block Integrating Screw and Spring Jumpers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional terminal blocks require separate dedicated spaces for screw and spring jumpers, leading to increased production and warehouse management costs, and potential errors during insertion, which can damage circuits.
Innovation Solution
A terminal block design that accommodates both screw and spring jumpers simultaneously, with standardized dimensions and a configuration allowing for easy assembly and preventing incorrect insertion, featuring a central space for screw jumpers and symmetrical side spaces for spring jumpers, ensuring compatibility and reducing component diversity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate dedicated terminals are provided for each type of movable contact (screw and spring jumpers), then each jumper type can be properly accommodated, but production and warehouse management costs increase due to component diversity
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal block is designed with a universal receiving space that can accommodate both screw-type jumpers and spring-lug jumpers simultaneously. The space includes a threaded hole for screw jumpers and lateral openings for spring lugs, allowing a single terminal block design to serve multiple jumper types without requiring separate dedicated terminals for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving space is segmented into functional zones: a central threaded hole area for screw-type jumpers and lateral opening areas for spring-lug jumpers. This segmentation allows each jumper type to be properly positioned and connected while sharing the same terminal block structure, reducing overall component diversity.
2Reliability
If separate dedicated terminals are provided for each jumper type, then proper connection is ensured, but warehouse management and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single terminal block design with multi-functional receiving spaces eliminates the need to produce and manage multiple specialized terminal block variants. The universal design maintains reliable connections for both jumper types while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and inventory management requirements.
3Ease of operation
If conventional terminal blocks are used with separate spaces for each jumper type, then proper installation is possible, but errors during insertion can occur which may damage circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving space employs asymmetric features including a central threaded hole positioned differently from lateral openings, and corresponding asymmetric jumper designs (central screw jumper vs. lateral spring-lug jumpers). This asymmetry creates inherent mechanical guidance that prevents incorrect insertion of jumpers into wrong spaces, eliminating the risk of circuit damage from improper installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating body with its specifically configured receiving space acts as an intermediary that mediates between different jumper types and the terminal block. The receiving space's geometry and features serve as a mechanical interface that guides and constrains jumpers into correct positions, preventing erroneous connections.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Switchboard multifunction terminal block for connecting electrical wires (2,2a), comprising - a first pair of seats (12) situated more externally in the longitudinal direction (X-X), being designed to house means (50) for gripping wires (2; - a first space (14) centred on the vertical central axis (Z-Z) the size of the space suitable for housing a jumper (30) of the type with screw (32); comprising: - a pair of second spaces (15) respectively arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the first space (14) relative to the vertical central axis (Z-Z), each second space (15) being bounded in the longitudinal direction (X-X) by respective second partitions (15a) extending in the vertical direction, the size of each space (15) allowing housing of a respective jumper (40) of the type with spring lugs (41), the front face (11a) of the terminal block having an undercut (16) with base (16a) provided with three openings (16b,16c) forming the external connection, respectively, of the first space (14) and the pair of spaces (15) for inserting the respective jumper.