Wire Connector Slides Release Wedges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire connectors with withdrawing means, such as pins and slots, weaken the body and require manual dexterity to release wires, often necessitating a separate tool that can be lost or misplaced, limiting ease of use and convenience.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates guideways with slides that allow inward sliding to push wedging means against their spring-urge for release, enabling single-handed operation and reduced vulnerability during assembly and transport, with retention projections to prevent slide withdrawal and provide overload indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pins and slots are used for withdrawing wedging means, then wire release is enabled, but the body is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the withdrawing function from the body structure by providing a separate rod-like tool that inserts through small holes to push the wedging means. This separates the release mechanism from the body, avoiding slots that would weaken the body while still enabling wire release.
Solution Approach 2:
A rod-like tool acts as an intermediary between the user and the wedging means. The tool transmits the pushing force through the small holes to retract the wedging means, enabling wire release without requiring structural openings in the body.
2Ease of operation
If a separate rod-like tool is used for release, then wire release is enabled, but the tool can be lost or mislaid
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the release tool with the connector body by making the rod-like tool an integral part of the connector. The tool is retained within the body structure, eliminating the risk of loss or misplacement while maintaining the release function.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector becomes self-sufficient by incorporating the release mechanism directly into its structure. The user can operate the release function using the integrated tool without needing to carry or locate a separate tool.
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
Facilitates easy insertion and release of wires with one hand, reduces vulnerability during handling, and provides visual overload indication, enhancing user convenience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
spring-urged towards the entry ends and protruding into the channels for the purpose of gripping inserted wires
Data Source
AI summary
A connector or locking device for wires (or wire ropes) W has a body (20) of alloy, two channels (21) within the body, entry ends (23) at opposite ends for wires, and wedges (25) within the body urged by springs (26) towards the entry ends (23) and to protrude into the channels (21) for the purpose of gripping inserted wires and preventing their withdrawal in the opposite direction to insertion, and is characterized in that guideways (30) are formed within the body (20) alongside each channel from adjacent its entry end (23) to beyond its wedge (25), and plastics slide (31) are fitted one within each of the guideways each with its inner end (32) overlapping a nose part (33) of the respective wedge and its outer end (34) protruding outwards beyond the entry end of the channel, retention means (35, 36) being provided between each slide (31) and its guideway (30) while allowing inward sliding to push the wedge (25) against the urge of its spring (26) when the outer end (34) of the slide is pushed relative to the body to release an inserted wire for withdrawal or adjustment of its position relative to the body.