PCB Through-Hole Conductor Connection for Lower-Cost Utility Meters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conductor connection devices for utility meters are expensive to manufacture and mount due to the need for insulating housing, which compromises electrical safety and operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A conductor connection device with a transition zone and shoulder surface on the second outer side, allowing the conductor clamping element to be accessible and operated from this side, eliminating the need for an additional housing by using the printed circuit board as an insulating element, and featuring a clamping element receptacle that intersects the conductor receptacle to guide the clamping element movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an insulating housing is used to protect users from electricity, then electrical safety is improved, but manufacturing and mounting costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the insulating function with the printed circuit board (PCB) itself. The PCB is designed with an insulating housing integrated into its structure, eliminating the need for a separate insulating housing component. This integration reduces the number of parts, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining electrical safety through the PCB's inherent insulating properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCB serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connections, structural support, and electrical insulation. By making the PCB multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate insulating housing components, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining safety requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the conductor clamping element is accessible from the second outer side, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to transition zone and shoulder surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows access to the conductor clamping element from the second outer side of the main body, which is a different dimension or direction compared to traditional designs. This is achieved through a transition zone with a shoulder surface that creates a pathway for accessing the clamping element from this alternative side, improving operational convenience without requiring users to access elements from the traditional front side.
Data Source
AI summary
A conductor connection device with a contact element at one side thereof, a printed circuit board with the conductor connection device, and a utility meter with the printed circuit board are provided. In order to reduce production costs of the conductor connection device without increasing the production costs of the printed circuit board or the utility meter and without affecting operational safety, the conductor connection device comprises a conductor clamping element that is accessible via the second side thereof, and the printed circuit board comprises a through-hole that is aligned with the conductor clamping element.