Articulating Clamp Assembly for Straight Conductor Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mounting hardware for traffic control devices struggles to efficiently route larger and multiple conductors due to their stiffness, making installation challenging.
Innovation Solution
An articulating clamp assembly with a tenon mount style, featuring a saddle-style first clamp member and a tenon sleeve second clamp member, allowing for a straight conductor path and easy installation of larger conductors, along with alternative band and cable-mount styles for versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mounting hardware is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot efficiently route larger and multiple conductors due to their stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is divided into multiple segments including a first clamp member, a second clamp member, and an articulating member that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the conductor to be routed through different sections independently, accommodating larger and stiffer conductors by providing multiple routing paths and adjustment points throughout the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating member is designed to move between retracted and extended positions, creating dynamic adjustment capability. When extended, it provides additional space and altered geometry for routing large conductors; when retracted, it maintains a compact profile. This dynamic behavior allows the same structure to handle both small and large conductors effectively.
2Ease of manufacture
If the clamp assembly is designed to accommodate larger conductors with a straight path, then conductor installation becomes easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can accommodate various conductor sizes (from small to large), provide both straight and angled routing paths, and adapt to different installation configurations. The articulating member and adjustable components enable the same structure to serve universal purposes across different conductor types and installation scenarios, justifying the increased complexity through enhanced versatility.
3Ease of operation
If conventional clamp assembly is used, then the device complexity is low, but sharp turns are required for conductor routing which complicates installation
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating member provides an additional degree of freedom by moving between retracted and extended positions along an axis perpendicular to the main clamp structure. This dimensional addition creates new routing paths that avoid sharp turns by utilizing the extra spatial dimension, allowing conductors to transition more gradually between directions.
Data Source
AI summary
An articulating clamp assembly for traffic control assemblies. The clamp assembly includes first and second clamp members. The first clamp member, or tube saddle, has a rear face designed for attachment to a bracket tube. The rear face of the second clamp member is attachable either to the end of a mast arm by a tenon sleeve or to the side of the mast arm by cables or bands. The front ends of the first and second clamp members have inter-engaging serrated faces that allow adjustable engagement of the two clamp members. Each clamp member defines a continuous end-to-end conductor path, and the articulating ends are formed to create a continuous and substantially straight conductor path through the joint in the assembled clamp. In this way, the path of a conductor from the mast arm to the bracket tube is substantially straight facilitating the installation of large diameter conductors.