An Electrical Plug Which is Self Terminating and Self Relieving, Featuring High Energy Storage, Zero-Gap IDC

摘要

The patented plug, in its first incarnation, meets the U.L L8-30 specification. It can automatically (just by screwing it together) terminate and strain-relieve all wires from 8 thru 20 awg. It has only the terminals themselves as metal parts. No plates, screws, or rivets! Large high energy storage zero-gap IDC's provide maintenance free, lifetime terminations, using only pliers and your hands. Not only does this plug have much higher performance and much lower assembled cost than conventional plugs, but there is a savings of about 80% on application cost. Topics to be covered include the basic theory of zero-gap IDC, the specifics of the actual plug design, the no-maintenance feature, the wiring-block mass termination using the natural mechanical advantage of large screws, the automatic strain-relief feature, the cost parameters, the mating connector design, bells & whistles, and the use of the design concept for small, electronic applications. The paper will conclude with a discussion of plans for testing, marketing, and production and the reasons why this product will make the world a safer, more efficient, less expensive place.