Angled Protrusion Contact Element for Power Cable Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting elements for cable shields often suffer from high standard deviation in contact point performance due to protrusions forming rows parallel to the cable axis, leading to reduced current transmission and reliability, especially in medium voltage power cables.
Innovation Solution
The connecting element arranges protrusions in rows that form angles with the cable axis, and uses a parallelogram-shaped outline to ensure even distribution and reduce gaps, enhancing the contact area without overlapping, and incorporates a flexible metal braiding for secure connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If protrusions are arranged in rows parallel to the cable axis, then the contact element can be manufactured with simple geometry, but the standard deviation of contact points increases and current transmission reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging protrusions in rows that form an angle with the cable axis rather than being parallel to it. This asymmetric arrangement prevents gaps between cable shield sectors from aligning with entire rows of protrusions, thereby reducing the standard deviation of contact points and improving current transmission reliability while maintaining manufacturability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the contact element width is reduced to fit smaller cables, then smaller cable diameters can be connected, but the contact area decreases and gaps increase for larger cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by introducing an angular dimension to the protrusion row arrangement. Instead of only varying the contact element width to adapt to different cable sizes, the angled arrangement allows the contact element to effectively cover a wider range of cable diameters by optimizing contact point distribution across the cable circumference, thereby maintaining contact area while increasing adaptability
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to connecting element which is used for contacting an electrically conductive shield of a cable. A connecting element (100) for contacting a shielding layer or a plurality of shielding wires of a power cable according to the present invention comprises an electrically conductive contact element (102) for electrically contacting said shielding. Said contact element (102) comprises a plurality of contact protrusions (126) which in a mounted state protrude towards the shielding, said contact protrusions (126) being arranged in a plurality of rows (122) which have a distance from each other that extends, in a mounted state, circumferentially around said cable and a length that extends along said cable. Said rows (122) are arranged in a way that they form an angle (α) unequal zero with a longitudinal axis (120) of the cable.