Terminal Block Leaf Spring Contact Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection terminal designs for circuit boards lack precise relative positioning and protection against mechanical damage, with unreliable contact reliability and susceptibility to mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A connection terminal circuit board arrangement featuring leaf-spring-like spring elements that run away from each other, forming an inlet chamfer, ensuring reliable contact and protection against mechanical damage, with the distance between the spring elements' free ends being smaller than the contact opening's diameter, allowing for precise positioning and easy insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a contact spring presses on a flat contact surface on the printed circuit board, then electrical contact is achieved, but precise relative positioning between the connection terminal and the printed circuit board is not guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element is divided into two separate leaf-spring-like spring elements instead of a single contact spring. These segmented spring elements can independently engage with the contact opening, providing both positioning function and contact function, thus resolving the contradiction between contact reliability and positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements act as an intermediary mechanism between the connection terminal and the printed circuit board. Through their elastic deformation and engagement with the contact opening, they mediate both the positioning and electrical contact functions, achieving precise positioning while maintaining reliable electrical contact
2Reliability
If spring contacts are used for electrical contact, then electrical contact is achieved, but the spring contacts are not protected against mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with a recess that receives and protects the spring elements before they engage with the contact opening. This protective structure cushions the spring elements against mechanical damage during insertion and operation, while still allowing them to perform their electrical contact function reliably
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements are nested within the housing structure, specifically received in a recess of the housing. This nesting arrangement protects the vulnerable spring contacts from external mechanical damage while allowing them to extend and engage with the contact opening for electrical contact
3Manufacturing precision
If plug-in contacts are used to engage in plated-through holes, then relative positioning is possible, but reliable contacting between the plug contact and the via is not always ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements provide dynamic contact through elastic deformation. As the connection terminal is inserted, the spring elements deform elastically to engage with the contact opening, ensuring reliable electrical contact through continuous pressure while maintaining positioning capability. This dynamic mechanism overcomes the reliability issues of rigid plug-in contacts
4Ease of operation
If the distance between spring elements is greater than the contact opening diameter, then easy insertion is achieved, but reliable contact is not made possible
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are pre-configured with a specific geometry where their free ends are positioned closer together than the contact opening diameter. This preliminary arrangement allows them to converge and engage reliably with the contact opening during insertion, ensuring both easy insertion and reliable contact through the inherent spring 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
The design provides reliable, cost-effective, and secure electrical contacting with a spring action that ensures good contact pressure while remaining detachable, offering protection against mechanical damage and precise relative positioning.
Implementation Method 1
the contact element has two leaf-spring-like spring elements which at least st are designed to run away from each other in sections and then towards each other
Implementation Method 2
with spring action provided contact pressure is pressed against the inner contact, thus ensuring good electrical contact
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a terminal block (10, 10') with an insulating terminal block housing (12) and at least one or at least two clamping contacts (20, 20a, 20b) arranged in the terminal block housing (12) for connecting an electrical conductor, wherein a contact element (30), which is in electrically conductive connection with one or both of the clamping contacts (20a, 20b) in the terminal block housing (12), is guided through a first opening (14) of the terminal block housing (12) to the outside of the terminal block housing (12) and, to establish an electrical contact between a printed circuit board and the clamping contact (20) or the clamping contacts (20a, 20b), comes into contact with a contact surface of the printed circuit board when the terminal block (10) is placed on the printed circuit board.wherein the contact surface is arranged on the inside of a contact opening of the circuit board and the contact element (30) has two leaf spring-like spring elements (32, 34) which are designed to extend away from each other at least section by section and then towards each other, wherein the distance between the free ends (32a, 34a) of the spring elements (32, 34) is smaller than the diameter of the contact opening, wherein the largest distance between the spring elements (32, 34) is arranged outside the terminal housing and wherein the largest distance between the spring elements is larger than the diameter of the contact opening and a terminal-circuit board arrangement comprising a circuit board with a contact opening and a contact surface arranged therein and such a terminal.