The present invention relates generally to a conductive component structure of rail-type terminal device, and more particularly to a conductive component structure of rail-type terminal device, in which the conductive component has a load arm assembled with a first elastic section and a second elastic section of the elastic unit to help in enhancing the elastic holding and securing effect of the conductive component.
A conventional terminal device or wire pressing terminal has an insulation case (generally made of plastic material), a metal component (or so-called electrical conductive component) and a leaf spring conductor (or so-called metal leaf spring). The metal component and the leaf spring conductor are enclosed in the insulation case to press and electrically connect with or release a conductive wire plugged in the terminal device.
Such electrical connection terminal devices include two types. The first type of electrical connection terminal device is inserted on a circuit board such as printed circuit board (PCB). For example, EP 2325947 A1 discloses typical examples. The second type of electrical connection terminal device is latched with a grounding rail (or conductive rail) in a row to set up a common grounding device of an electrical apparatus or mechanical equipment for conducting out the residual voltage or static of the machine. For example, US 2013/0143433 A1 “connection terminal”, US 2014/0127932 A1 “electrical connection terminal” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,259 “ground conductor terminal” disclose typical embodiments.
Such electrical connection terminal (or rail-type electrical connection terminal) generally includes an insulation case having a wire plug-in hole for the conductive wire to plug into the interior of the case. The case defines a chamber in which a plate-shaped conductive support (or conductive component) is mounted for pivotally connecting with a grounding conductive wire coining from a machine or an apparatus. The conductive component has a metal grounding member, which is soldered, riveted or connected on the conductive support. The metal grounding member has two ends respectively fastened on a grounding rail (or conductive rail). An operator can use a tool (such as a screwdriver) to hook and pull a hook-shaped foot section formed on a lower side of the insulation case. The foot section drives one end of the grounding member to make the same outward deform and deflect so as to unfasten the grounding member from the rail.
The assembling structure of the conventional electrical connection terminal has some shortcomings in structure and operation application. For example, an operator needs to outward hook and pull the structures of two ends of the grounding member to make the same deform for unfastening the grounding member from the rail. In the case of improper operation and/or long-term (or highly frequent) use, the fastening and securing effect of the grounding member to the rail in successive use is apt to be deteriorated. This consequently affects the conductive effect of the conductive component.
A conventional terminal structure employing multiple side-by-side assembled grounding members has been also disclosed. For example, EP 1 860 738 A1 discloses typical embodiments.
However, as well known by those who are skilled in this field, the structural form of multiple side-by-side assembled grounding members not only leads to increase of material cost, but also requires very great operation force applied to the grounding members for pulling the grounding members to outward deflect. Therefore, it is laborious to operate.
In order to improve the aforesaid shortcomings, a structural form of a grounding member assembled an elastic member has been disclosed. The grounding member has a base section pivotally connectable with a conductive connector, a first section and a second connected with the base section. The first and second sections are respectively formed with a bow portion and a first portion and a second portion connected with the bow portion. The first and second portions can be respectively fastened on a grounding rail. In addition, a load arm and a U-shaped elastic member assembled with the load arm are respectively disposed on the first section and/or the second section. In response to the motion of the first portion and/or the second portion, the U-shaped elastic member stores compression energy or release compression energy to help in enhancing the elastic securing effect (force) of the first portion and/or the second portion fastened on the grounding rail.
It should be noted that the aforesaid U-shaped elastic member singly provides a pushback action force after compressed. In normal state, the U-shaped elastic member is repeatedly compressed and deformed and then restored to its initial state. In the case of long-term (or highly frequent) use, material fatigue of the elastic member is easy to take place or even the elastic member will be disabled. This will deteriorate or reduce the assistance effect of the elastic member in securely fastening the grounding member on the rail. This is not what we expect.
To speak representatively, the above reveals some shortcomings existing in the conventional electrical connection terminal device in structure assembly design and application. In case the structural form of the conductive component or the grounding member is redesigned to be different from the conventional electrical connection terminal, the use form of the electrical connection terminal can be changed to practically widen the application range thereof.
It is found that the structural form of an optimal terminal device or conductive component must overcome or improve the aforesaid shortcomings of the conventional electrical connection terminal and include several design considerations as follows:
The aforesaid pressure resistant effect means that when the elastic unit is compressed to store energy, the elastic unit will instinctively provide (tension) pushback force or restore to its initial state. The tensile effect means when tensioned to store energy, the elastic unit will instinctively provide back pulling force or restore its initial state.
All the above issues are not taught or substantially disclosed in the above references.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a conductive component structure of rail-type terminal device, which includes a conductive component disposed in an insulation case body. The conductive component has a base section, a first section and a second section connected with the base section. The first section and the second section are respectively formed with a bow portion, a first portion and a second portion connected with the bow portion and fastened on a grounding rail. A load arm and an elastic unit assembled with the load arm are disposed on the first section and/or the second section. The elastic unit includes a first elastic section and a second elastic section. The load arm passes through the first elastic section and at least a part of the second elastic section. When the load arm is (displaced) or moved, in response to the (displacement) or motion of the load arm, the first elastic section and the second elastic section (at the same time) respectively provide tension (or pushback force) and pulling force effect so as to enhance the secure connection force of the conductive component fastened on the grounding rail. Accordingly, elastic fatigue of the elastic unit is not easy to take place. This improves the shortcoming of the conventional terminal device that in case of long-term (or highly frequent) use of one single elastic member, elastic (or material) fatigue of the elastic member is easy to take place to affect the securing effect.
In the above conductive component structure of rail-type terminal device, the first elastic section and the second elastic section respectively have main arms and subsidiary arms and (bow-shaped) bridge sections connected between the main arms and the subsidiary arms. The subsidiary arm of the first elastic section is connected with the main arm of the second elastic section. The load arm at least passes through the main arm and the subsidiary arm of the first elastic section and the main arm of the second elastic section. When the load arm is (displaced) and moved, in response to the (displacement) and motion of the load arm, the first elastic section is compressed, while the second elastic section is tensioned. When the load arm is moved back or restored to its home position, the first elastic section releases the stored energy to provide tension (or pushback force) effect, while the second elastic section releases the stored energy to provide tensile (or back pulling force). This helps in restoring the first portion and the second portion to their initial states.
In the above conductive component structure of rail-type terminal device, a (bow-shaped) subsidiary bridge section is formed between the subsidiary arm of the first elastic unit and the main arm of the second elastic section, whereby the elastic unit substantially has the form of an M-shaped structure or the elastic unit substantially has the form of a waved structure (or has a system of third elastic section). This enhances the pressure resistant effect (or pushback force) of the elastic unit (or the first elastic section) and the tensile effect (or back pulling force) of the second elastic section.
In the above conductive component structure of rail-type terminal device, the subsidiary arm of the second elastic section (and/or the first elastic section) is connected with a (bow-shaped) subsidiary bridge section. The subsidiary bridge section is connected with an extension arm. The extension arm is connected with a (bow-shaped) secondary bridge section. The secondary bridge section is connected with a secondary arm, whereby the second elastic section (and/or the first elastic section) substantially has the form of an M-shaped structure or the elastic unit substantially has the form of a waved structure.
The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
Please refer to
The upper section, upper side, lower section, lower side, right side, left side, lateral side, etc. mentioned hereinafter are recited with the direction of the drawings as the reference direction.
In a preferred embodiment, the conductive component 10 substantially has the form of a plate-shaped structure having a base section 10a assembled with the conductive module 55, a first section 11 and a second section 12 connected with the base section 10a and extending to two lateral sides of the drawing. The first section 11 and the second section 12 are respectively formed with a bow portion 13, a first portion 14 and a second portion 15 connected with the bow portion 13. The first and second portions 14, 15 are respectively (elastically) fastened on a grounding rail (not shown) to achieve electrical grounding effect.
Basically, the case body 50 has a first assembling section 51 and a second assembling section 52 respectively assembled with or locating a tail section 14a of the first portion 14 and a tail section 15a of the second portion 15 to help the case body 50 in receiving or locating the conductive component 10.
As shown in the drawings, a load arm 16 and an elastic unit 20 assembled with the load arm 16 are disposed on the first section and/or the second section 12. The elastic unit 20 includes a first elastic section 21 and a second elastic section 22. The load arm 16 passes through the first elastic section 21 and at least a part of the second elastic section 22. When the load arm 16 is (displaced) moved, in response to the (displacement) motion of the load arm 16, the first and second elastic sections 21, 22 (at the same time) respectively provide tension (or pushback force) and pulling force effect. This enhances the secure connection force of the conductive component 10 fastened on the grounding rail. Also, elastic fatigue of the elastic unit 20 is not easy to take place so as to improve the shortcoming of the conventional conductive component that in the case of long-term (or highly frequent) use, elastic (or material) fatigue of one single elastic member is easy to take place to affect the securing effect.
To speak more specifically, the first section 11 and/or the second section 12 define a space 30. In an area in adjacency to the space 30, on the upper and lower sides of the load arm 16 are respectively disposed an upper arm 17, a shoulder section 17a connected with the upper arm 17, a lower arm 18 and a shoulder section 18a connected with the lower arm 18 on the first section 11 and/or the second section 12. In addition, an assembling section 19 in the form of perforation structure is disposed between the space 30 and the base section 10a.
In this embodiment, the upper arm 17 and the lower arm 18 are respectively formed with raised sections 17b, 18b. The shoulder section 17a of the upper arm 17 cooperates with the raised section 17b of the upper arm 17 and the shoulder section 18a of the lower arm 18 cooperates with the raised section 18b of the lower arm 18 to help in mounting the elastic unit 20.
It should be noted that the raised section 17b and/or the raised section 18b also serve as restriction systems for restraining the motional range or displacement of the first elastic section 21 and/or the second elastic section 22 to lower the possibility of deformation or elastic (or material) fatigue of the first portion 14 and second portion 15 and/or the first elastic section 21 and second elastic section 22 due to improper operation of an operation or long-term (or highly frequent) use.
As shown in
In this embodiment, the first elastic section 21 and the second elastic section 22 of the elastic unit 20 can be a two-piece structure or integrally connected with each other to form a substantially M-shaped structure. The first elastic section 21 and/or the second elastic section 22 of the elastic unit 20 alternatively can have the form of a coiled spring.
As shown in the drawings, the first elastic section 21 and the second elastic section 22 respectively have main arms 21a, 22a and subsidiary arms 21b, 22b and (bow-shaped) bridge sections 21c, 22c connected between the main arms 21a, 22a and the subsidiary arms 21b, 22b. The subsidiary arm 21b of the first elastic section 21 is attached to or connected with the main arm 22a of the second elastic section 22.
As shown in the drawings, the main arm 21a and the subsidiary arm 21b of the first elastic section 21 and the main arm 22a and the subsidiary arm 22b of the second elastic section 22 are respectively formed with arcuate sections 23 for enhancing the structural strength of the main arms 21a, 22a and the subsidiary arms 21b, 22b. In addition, the load arm 16 at least passes through the main arm 21a and the subsidiary arm 21b of the first elastic section 21 and the main arm 22a of the second elastic section 22, when the load arm 16 is (displaced) moved, in response to the (displacement) motion of the load arm 16, the first elastic section 21 is compressed, while the second elastic section 22 is tensioned.
Moreover, when the load arm 16 (and/or the subsidiary section 16a) is restored or moved back, the first elastic section 21 releases the stored energy to provide tension (or pushback force), while the second elastic section 22 releases the stored energy to provide pulling force (or back pulling force). This helps in storing the first portion 14 and/or the second portion 15 to their initial states (or home positions without being forced).
To speak more specifically, the main arm 21a and the subsidiary arm 21b of the first elastic section 21 and the main arm 22a and the subsidiary arm 22b of the second elastic section 22 are respectively formed with splits 24, which permit the load arm 16 to pass through and/or assembled with the load arm 16.
Therefore, the main arm 21a of the first elastic section 21 is positioned between the shoulder sections 17a, 18a and the raised sections 17b, 18b, whereby the main arm 21a of the first elastic section 21 is leant against the shoulder sections 17a, 18a (or the main arm 21a of the first elastic section 21 is positioned between the first portion 14 (and/or the second portion 15) and the raised sections 17b, 18b, whereby the main arm 21a of the first elastic section 21 is leant against the first portion 14 (and/or the second portion 15). The subsidiary arm 21b of the first elastic section 21 and the main arm 22a of the second elastic section 22 are positioned between the raised sections 17b, 18b and the subsidiary section 16a, whereby the main arm 22a of the second elastic section 22 is leant against the subsidiary section 16a. The subsidiary arm 22b of the second elastic section 22 is positioned on the assembling section 19.
In a preferred embodiment, the subsidiary arm 22b of the second elastic section 22 can be secured to the case body 50. Alternatively, the assembling section is disposed on the case body 50 for fixing the subsidiary arm 22b of the second elastic section 22. In addition, the case body 50 can be formed with a chamber 53 for (helping) receiving the elastic unit 20.
As shown in
Please refer to
That is, the operator can perform the above operation to unfasten the first portion (and/or the second portion 15) from the rail.
When the operation force disappears, the first elastic section 21 of the elastic unit 20 will release the previously stored energy due to compression, whereby the subsidiary arm 21b of the first elastic section 21 pushes back the subsidiary section 16a of the load arm 16 to move toward the right side of the drawing. Also, the second elastic section 22 will release the previously stored energy due to tension, whereby the main arm 22a of the second elastic section 22 pulls back the subsidiary section 16a of the load arm 16 to move toward the right side of the drawing to together help in elastically storing the first portion 14 (and/or the second portion 15) to their initial positions as shown by the phantom line of
It should be noted that when an operator operates the conductive component 10 to fasten with the (grounding) rail, the first portion 14 (and/or the second portion 15) is slightly (expanded) tensioned. At the same time, the load arm 16 (or the subsidiary section 16a) is driven to make the first elastic section 21 of the elastic unit 20 provide a pressure resistant action force (or pushback force) and/or make the second elastic section 22 provide a tensile action force (or back pulling force), whereby the elastic unit 20 helps in enhancing the fastening force and security of the conductive component 10 (for fastening the conductive component on the rail).
Please refer to
Please refer to
Please refer to
In this embodiment, the subsidiary bridge section 27 is also formed with a split 24 connected with the split 24 of the subsidiary arm 21b of the first elastic section 21 and the split 24 of the main arm 22a of the second elastic section 22. As shown in the drawings, the load arm 16 at least passes through the main arm 21a and the subsidiary arm 21b of the first elastic section 21 and the subsidiary bridge section 27 and the main arm 22a of the second elastic section 22. Therefore, when the load arm 16 is (displaced) moved, in response to the (displacement) motion of the load arm 16, the first elastic section 21 (and/or the subsidiary bridge section 27) is compressed, while the second elastic section 22 is tensioned.
When the load arm 16 (and/or the subsidiary section 16a) is restored or moved back, the first elastic section 21 (and/or the subsidiary bridge section 27) releases the stored energy to provide tension (or pushback force), while the second elastic section 22 releases the stored energy to provide pulling force (or back pulling force). This helps in storing the first portion 14 and/or the second portion 15 to their initial states (or home positions without being forced).
To speak more specifically, the main arm 21a of the first elastic section 21 is positioned between the shoulder sections 17a, 18a and the raised sections 17a, 18b, whereby the main arm 21a of the first elastic section 21 is leant against the shoulder sections 17a, 18a (or the main arm 21a of the first elastic section 21 is positioned between the first portion 14 (and/or the second portion 15) and the raised sections 17b, 18b, whereby the main arm 21a of the first elastic section 21 is leant against the first portion 14 (and/or the second portion 15). The subsidiary arm 21b of the first elastic section 21, the subsidiary bridge section 27 and the main arm 22a of the second elastic section 22 are positioned between the raised sections 17b, 18b and the subsidiary section 16a, whereby the main arm 22a of the second elastic section 22 is leant against the subsidiary section 16a. The subsidiary arm 22b of the second elastic section 22 is positioned on the assembling section 19 (or the subsidiary arm 22b of the second elastic section 22 is secured to the case body 50 (or the assembling section of the case body 50)).
Please refer to
When the operation force disappears, the first elastic section 21 of the elastic unit 20 (and/or the subsidiary bridge section 27) will release the previously stored energy due to compression, whereby the subsidiary arm 21b of the first elastic section 21 (and/or the subsidiary bridge section 27) pushes back the subsidiary section 16a of the load arm 16 to move toward the right side of the drawing. Also, the second elastic section 22 will release the previously stored energy due to tension, whereby the main arm 22a of the second elastic section 22 pulls back the subsidiary section 16a of the load arm 16 to move toward the right side of the drawing to together help in elastically storing the first portion 14 (and/or the second portion 15) to their initial positions as shown by the phantom line of
Please refer to
As shown in the drawing, at least a part of the subsidiary arm 22b of the second elastic section 22, the subsidiary bridge section 27, the extension arm 27a and the secondary arm 27b are formed with a split 24.
Please refer to
Please refer to
Accordingly, the load arm 16 at least passes through the main arm 21a and the subsidiary arm 21b of the first elastic section 21 and the main arm 22a of the second elastic section 22. Therefore, when the load arm 16 is (displaced) moved, in response to the (displacement) motion of the load arm 16, the first elastic section 21 is compressed, while the second elastic section 22 (and/or the subsidiary bridge section 27, the extension arm 27a, the secondary bridge section 27c and the secondary arm 27b) is tensioned.
When the load arm 16 (and/or the subsidiary section 16a and the tail section 16b) is restored or moved back, the first elastic section 21 releases the stored energy to provide tension (or pushback force), while the second elastic section 22 (and/or the subsidiary bridge section 27 and the secondary bridge section 27c) releases the stored energy to provide pulling force (or back pulling force). This helps in storing the first portion 14 and/or the second portion 15 to their initial states (or home positions without being forced).
It should be noted that in the condition that the manufacturing cost is not taken into consideration, the first elastic section 21 and the second elastic section 22 of the elastic unit 20 respectively provide pressure resistant action force and tensile action force. According to such system, the structures of the first elastic section 21 and the second elastic section 22 can be alternatively selectively made of different metal material (property). For example, the first elastic section 21 can be selectively made of a high-performance material with higher resistance against pressure (yield point) and the second elastic section 22 can be selectively made of a high-performance material with higher tensile strength (yield point).
To speak representatively, in comparison with the conventional terminal device, the conductive component structure of the rail-type terminal device of the present invention has the following advantages:
In conclusion, the conductive component structure of the rail-type terminal device of the present invention is effective and different from the conventional terminal device in space form and is advantageous over the conventional terminal device. The conductive component structure of the rail-type terminal device of the present invention is greatly advanced and inventive.
The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
110144696 | Nov 2021 | TW | national |