Universal Terminal Block for Earthing via Multi-Threaded Clamping Screw
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal blocks for grounding require specific connecting strips and manufacturing processes, limiting versatility and efficiency in electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A terminal block design featuring a conductive connecting bar with a threaded hole and a clamping screw that can cooperate with both a support rail and a connecting shunt, allowing the same connecting bar to be used for grounding and electrical connections between conductors, with a clamping screw that adjusts to exert pressure on the support rail and includes a smooth first portion for sliding freely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a terminal block for grounding uses a specific connecting bar with threaded hole, then it can cooperate with connecting shunt, but it requires a specific manufacturing process and cannot be used for other applications
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting bar is designed with a threaded hole that can accommodate both connecting shunts for electrical connections and support rails for grounding applications. This universal design allows the same connecting bar to serve multiple functions - either as a terminal block for grounding or as a standard junction block, eliminating the need for application-specific manufacturing processes.
2Reliability
If a terminal block for grounding uses a clamping screw with threading to tighten on support rail, then it ensures secure electrical contacting, but the threading requires a specific orifice configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping screw is designed with threading that can engage with the orifice in the connecting bar, allowing it to function both as a grounding terminal block and as a standard junction block. The threading provides secure electrical contacting while the universal orifice configuration eliminates the need for specific complex hole patterns.
3Device complexity
If separate connecting bars are used for grounding and standard junction blocks, then each application has optimized design, but it increases device complexity and manufacturing variability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a universal connecting bar design that can be used for both grounding terminal blocks and standard junction blocks. This single design replaces the need for separate optimized designs for different applications, reducing device complexity and manufacturing variability while maintaining adaptability to both uses through the threaded orifice and clamping screw configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a grounding terminal block (1) comprising: - a conductive connecting bar (10) having a first hole (11) with a thread of a determined diameter (D) intended to cooperate with the thread of a connecting shunt, - a conductive bracket (20) on a conductive support rail (2), said bracket (20) having a second hole (21) having a thread of diameter (D') less than or equal to the diameter (D) of the thread of the first hole (11) of the connecting bar (10), - a conductive clamping screw (30) arranged to clamp the bracket (20) onto the support rail (2), the clamping screw (30) comprising: - a head (31) having a diameter greater than the diameter (D) of the thread of the first hole (11) of the connecting bar (10), - a first portion (32) extending from the head of the screw (31) onto a determined screw length (I),said first portion (32) having a diameter (d) smaller than the diameter (D) of the thread in the first hole (11) of the connecting bar (10) so as to be able to slide freely in the first hole (11), - a second portion (33) extending from the first portion (32) to the end of the screw (30) opposite the screw head (31), said second portion (33) having a thread with a diameter (d') substantially equal to the diameter (D') of the thread in the second hole (21) of the bracket (20), the length (I) of the first portion (32) being determined such that when the thread in the second hole (21) of the bracket (20) cooperates with the thread of the second portion (33) of the clamping screw (30), then the thread in the first hole (11) of the connecting bar (10) is opposite the first portion (32) of the clamping screw (30).