Connection Terminal Clamping Release for Effortless Cable Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection terminals require manual force to adjust the clamping leg for releasing or attaching electrical cables, making the process cumbersome and potentially prone to incorrect operation.
Innovation Solution
The connection terminal incorporates an actuating element with a first adjusting section and a triggering element with a second adjusting section, allowing the clamping leg to be automatically moved between release and clamping positions when an electrical cable is inserted, enabling effortless cable insertion and removal without manual force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual force is applied to adjust the clamping leg for releasing or attaching electrical cables, then the connection terminal can securely clamp the conductor, but the operation becomes cumbersome and prone to incorrect operation
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal block automatically detects the insertion of an electrical conductor and triggers the release element to move the clamping leg from the clamped position to the release position, enabling the conductor to be inserted without manual force. The system serves itself by using the conductor's insertion as the triggering mechanism for automatic release and clamping.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element is pre-positioned in an actuated state that holds the clamping leg in the release position, preparing the terminal block for effortless conductor insertion. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for manual force during the actual connection operation.
2Ease of operation
If the actuating element is locked in the actuated position to hold the clamping leg in release position, then cable insertion becomes effortless, but the device requires additional locking mechanism complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the actuating element itself - the actuating element's position (actuated or unactuated) directly determines whether the clamping leg is held in release or clamped position. The first adjusting section of the actuating element combines the locking action with the position control, eliminating the need for a separate locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The first adjusting section acts as an intermediary between the actuating element's position and the clamping leg's position, transferring the locking action from the actuating element to the clamping leg through mechanical coupling.
3Productivity
If the release element is automatically triggered by conductor insertion to move the clamping leg to clamping position, then the connection process is simplified, but the release element requires precise interaction with the conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The triggering mechanism is segmented into distinct functional sections: the release element with its second adjusting section that interacts with the conductor, and the actuating element with its first adjusting section that receives the trigger signal. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.
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 simplifies the connection process, ensuring reliable electrical contact through the clamping effect of the clamping leg, reducing the risk of incorrect operation and enhancing user safety by automatic adjustment of the actuating element.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element with a clamping arm for acting on the electrical conductor in the inserted state to bring it into contact with the contact element
Implementation Method 2
a spring element in the form of a tension spring is provided, which, by means of elastic spring action, pulls a connected electrical conductor into contact with an associated contact element
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2
AI summary
A terminal block (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2) comprises a housing (10). A contact element (11) for electrical contact with the electrical conductor (2) and a spring element (12) are arranged on the housing (10). The spring element has a clamping leg (120) for acting on the electrical conductor (2) to bring the electrical conductor (2) into contact with the contact element (11). An actuating element (14) is adjustable for moving the clamping leg (120) in an actuating direction (B) from an unactuated position to an actuated position. The actuating element (14) has a first actuating section (145), and a release element (13) for releasing the actuating element (14) from the actuated position has a second actuating section (133).The actuating element (14) is designed to act, when moved into the actuated position, via the first actuating section (145) on the second actuating section (133) to return the release element (13) to an initial position.