Spring-Loaded Terminal Latching Structure to Reduce Clamping Edge Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring-loaded terminals for electrical conductors, particularly those with stranded conductors, suffer from high wear of the clamping edge of the clamping spring and issues with incorrect plugging or premature release.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded terminal design featuring a clamping spring with a pivoting clamping leg and a retaining spring, where the latching mechanism is separated from the clamping edge, reducing wear by integrating the clamping and retaining springs, and incorporating a pivoting leg with retaining devices to maintain the clamping leg in an open position during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the clamping spring is latched directly to the clamping edge, then the structure is simple, but the wear of the clamping edge increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping spring is divided into two separate functional parts: a clamping leg with clamping edge for contacting the conductor, and a pivoting leg with retaining device for latching. This segmentation allows the clamping edge to be separated from the latching mechanism, preventing wear on the clamping edge while maintaining structural simplicity through the integrated spring design.
2Device complexity
If the latching mechanism is integrated with the clamping edge, then the device is compact, but incorrect plugging or premature release cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining device with retaining element acts as an intermediary between the pivoting leg and the clamping leg. This retaining device engages with a retaining recess at a specific distance from the clamping edge, creating a controlled latching mechanism that prevents incorrect plugging while maintaining device compactness through the integrated spring structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the clamping spring is designed as a single integrated component, then manufacturing is more cost-effective, but the spacing for proper latching function becomes more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping spring combines multiple functions (clamping, latching, retaining) into a single integrated component manufactured as one piece. The design incorporates specific geometric features (pivoting leg, retaining device, retaining recess) with predetermined spacing relationships that are built into the monolithic structure, achieving both manufacturing cost-effectiveness and precise spacing control through integral forming processes.
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 effectively reduces wear on the clamping edge of the clamping spring while preventing incorrect insertion or premature release, ensuring a reliable and durable connection.
Implementation Method 1
having a spring which is provided for fixing the electrical conductor in the spring-loaded terminal
Implementation Method 2
a compression spring that presses the conductor against the busbar
Implementation Method 3
the clamping spring has a clamping leg with a clamping edge that can be pivoted about a first pivot axis in a pivoting direction
Implementation Method 4
a retaining spring for latching the clamping spring in an open position so that the conductor can be inserted into a contact region
Implementation Method 5
the pivoting leg has at least one retaining device for retaining the clamping leg in the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A spring-loaded terminal is designed as a direct plug-in terminal for connecting a conductor. The terminal includes a busbar for contacting the conductor, a clamping spring for retaining the electrical conductor in the terminal, and a retaining spring for latching the clamping spring in an open position so that the conductor can be inserted into a contact area. The clamping spring has a pivotable clamping leg and a clamping edge. The retaining spring has a pivotable pivoting leg having at least one retaining device as a first latching device. The clamping leg has a corresponding latching device cooperating with the retaining device of the pivoting leg in a latching state of the clamping leg. The clamping leg is adjustable from the latching state by displacing the electrical conductor into a clamping state in which the clamping leg is unlatched from the retaining device and presses the electrical conductor with the clamping edge of the clamping leg against the busbar. The latching device of the clamping leg is spaced from the clamping edge of the clamping leg.