Terminal Device Segmented Pressing and Locking Springs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional terminal devices with quick connection structures experience unstable contact states due to the integral formation of locking and pressing springs, which can lead to unstable force transmission and contact instability when inserting electric wires.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device with independently separated pressing and locking portions, where the pressing portion includes a V-shaped structure and a curved contact portion to securely hold the electric wire, while the locking portion restricts movement, preventing force transmission and maintaining stable contact pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the locking portion and pressing portion are integrally formed as one spring, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the contact state becomes unstable due to force transmission between the locking and pressing functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidcontact state stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the originally integral spring into two separate components: a locking spring (with locking piece and central piece) and a pressing spring (with pressing piece). This segmentation eliminates the force transmission path between locking and pressing functions, allowing each spring to independently perform its specific function without interference, thereby stabilizing the contact state while maintaining reasonable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the locking portion and pressing portion are separated into independent members, then the contact state stability is improved by eliminating force transmission, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact state stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the spring system into two independent springs (locking spring and pressing spring) that are positioned adjacent to each other within the terminal portion. This segmentation achieves contact state stability by eliminating force transmission, while the compact arrangement of the two springs minimizes the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the locking spring and pressing spring within a single terminal portion structure, where both springs work cooperatively to achieve stable wire contact. The merging of these two independent springs into one integrated terminal portion design allows them to function independently while maintaining a unified structure, thus balancing reliability improvement with controlled device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution stabilizes the contact state between the electric wire and the terminal portion, reducing the risk of unstable contact resistance and increasing the reliability of the connection, even when forces are applied during insertion.

Implementation Method 1

The locking portion (4) is elastic; disposed to face the one surface (20) of the terminal portion (2); and configured to restrict movement of the electric wire (100) toward the insertion port (11) by contact with the electric wire (100)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The pressing portion (3) is configured to hold an electric wire (100) inserted along an inserting direction (Y axis direction) from an insertion port (11) so that the electric wire (100) is sandwiched between the pressing portion (3) and the terminal portion (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3226351B1Terminal device and wiring apparatus with same
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3226351B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3226351B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3226351B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An object is to provide a terminal device and a wiring apparatus with the same, which can suppress a contact state of an electric wire in contact with a terminal portion from falling into an unstable state. A terminal device (1) includes a terminal portion (2), a pressing portion (3) and a locking portion (4). The pressing portion (3) is disposed to face one surface (20) of the terminal portion (2), and configured to hold an electric wire (100) inserted along an inserting direction from an insertion port (11) so that the electric wire (100) is sandwiched between the pressing portion (3) and the terminal portion (2). The locking portion (4) is elastic; disposed to face the one surface (20) of the terminal portion (2); and configured to restrict movement of the electric wire (100) toward the insertion port (11) by contact with the electric wire (100). The pressing portion (3) and the locking portion (4) are members independently separated from each other.