Terminal Strip Coding Elements for Jumper Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In various applications, it is necessary to deactivate or detach jumpers from metal assemblies in terminal strips either before or after the contacts are closed, which is not efficiently addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

The terminal strip incorporates coding elements, specifically designed as insulating tab sections that allow separation between the jumper and the busbar, enabling easy detachment either before or after contact is made, utilizing a comb-like design with handle and roof plug-in sections for efficient and visible separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If jumpers are attached to metal assemblies to interconnect them, then electrical connectivity between contacts is improved, but the ability to deactivate or detach jumpers before or after contact closure becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidjumper detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coding element is divided into multiple tab sections, each corresponding to a specific contact position. These segmented tabs can independently separate the jumper from individual contacts, allowing selective deactivation of specific connections while maintaining others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coding element acts as an intermediary component inserted between the jumper and the metal assemblies. This mediator physically prevents contact between the jumper and specific contacts, enabling controlled deactivation without removing the jumper itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If coding elements are added to separate jumper contacts, then wiring accuracy and prevention of incorrect connections is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coding element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical separation of contacts, visual coding information through its design, and structural support for the terminal strip assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The coding information and the separation function are merged into a single integrated element. The tab sections both physically block contact and visually indicate the coding pattern, combining two functions that could have been separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple contacts need to be separated from jumper, then wiring flexibility for different applications is improved, but time required for individual separation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring flexibilityVSAvoidseparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple tab sections are combined into a single coding element structure, allowing simultaneous separation of multiple contacts when the element is inserted. This eliminates the need to separately manipulate each contact position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coding element is pre-configured with tab sections positioned to separate specific contacts before the wiring process begins. This preliminary arrangement of separation points accelerates the wiring process by eliminating sequential adjustment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1868264B1Terminal strip with encoding device
Publication Date: 2012.02.01 WEIDMULLER INTERFACE GMBH & CO
  • EP1868264B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP1868264B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP1868264B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The pin board has metal components (5) with contacts (6) for contacting contacts of a counter rail and another contact for connection of external conductors, where two contacts of the contacts (6) of the pin board are connected with each other by a cross bridge (12) over the metal components. Coding elements allow to separate a contact between the cross bridge and the contacts or a bus bar (9).