Connection Terminal Clamping Structure for Tool-Free Wire Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal blocks require manual actuation of the clamping spring to connect flexible conductors, making the installation process cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The terminal block design features a retaining element with a pressure surface transverse to the conductor insertion direction, allowing flexible conductors to be connected by simply inserting them, which automatically pivots the clamping leg into a clamping position without additional actuation, using a torsion spring and a retaining element with spring-elastic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the clamping spring is pre-tensioned to clamp flexible conductors, then the conductor can be securely clamped, but manual actuation is required which makes installation cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor itself serves as the actuating element. When the conductor is inserted, it automatically actuates the retaining element to pivot the clamping spring into the clamping position, eliminating the need for separate manual actuation by the user. The system uses the conductor's insertion force to trigger the clamping action.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping spring is pre-configured in an open position by the retaining element, ready to clamp. The system is prepared in advance so that upon conductor insertion, the clamping action is automatically initiated without requiring additional user steps.
2Extent of automation
If the actuating element is moved perpendicular to the wire insertion direction, then the clamping spring can be released, but this requires additional user intervention and complicates the operation
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating function is merged with the conductor insertion process. The conductor's insertion movement along its entry direction is combined with the actuation of the retaining element, so that a single action (inserting the conductor) accomplishes both the placement of the conductor and the triggering of the clamping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to actuate the mechanism before inserting the conductor, the system is inverted so that the conductor insertion itself performs the actuation. The cause and effect are reversed: rather than actuation enabling insertion, insertion triggers the actuation.
3Ease of operation
If the clamping spring is held in open position by a retaining element, then flexible conductors can be inserted without actuation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element performs multiple functions: it holds the clamping spring in the open position, provides a pressure surface for the conductor to actuate against, and guides the clamping leg during the transition to the clamping position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element is designed with spring-elastic properties, allowing it to deform elastically when the conductor presses against it. This elastic deformation enables the retaining element to pivot and release the clamping leg smoothly, providing a simple yet effective mechanism for the position transition.
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 of flexible conductors by eliminating the need for manual actuation, enhancing ease of handling and reducing installation time.
Implementation Method 1
The clamping spring is designed as a torsion spring, which has a retaining leg and a clamping leg that is pivotable relative to the retaining leg
Implementation Method 2
The retaining element has a pressure surface which is arranged transversely to the insertion direction of the conductor and which can be actuated by means of the conductor to be connected
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a connection terminal (100) for connecting an electric conductor (200), comprising: - a housing (10) within which a conductor connection area (11) is formed, - a conductor insertion opening (12) which is formed in the housing (10) and via which the conductor (200) to be connected can be inserted into the conductor connection area (11) along an insert direction (E), - a current bar (13) which is arranged in the conductor connection area (11) of the housing (10), - a clamping spring (14) which is arranged in the conductor connection area (11) and which has a holding limb (15) and a clamping limb (16), said clamping limb (16) being convertible into a clamping position and an open position, and - an actuation element (18) which is movably arranged in the housing (10) along an actuation direction (B), wherein the clamping limb (16) of the clamping spring (14) can be actuated by the actuation element (18) so as to be converted from the clamping position into the open position. The invention is characterized in that the actuation direction (B) of the actuation element (18) is configured transversely to the insertion direction (E) of the conductor (200) into the conductor connection area (11), and the conductor connection area (11) of the housing (10) is equipped with a holding element (19), against which the clamping limb (16) is held in the open position and from which the clamping limb (16) is released in the clamping position. The holding element (19) has a pressing surface (20) which is arranged transversely to the insertion direction (E) of the conductor (200) and which can be actuated by the conductor (200) to be connected in order to release the clamping limb (16) from the holding element (19) in order to convert the clamping limb from the open position into the clamping position.