Asymmetric Clamp Sensor for Narrow Gap Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamp sensors with arc-shaped clamp arms are thick and square in cross-section, making it difficult to insert the front ends into narrow gaps between electric wires or obstacles, preventing reliable clamping.
Innovation Solution
The clamp sensor features rotatable arc-shaped clamp arms with inclined facing surfaces and chamfered edges, allowing for a shorter opposing distance between edges, enabling easier insertion into narrow spaces and reliable clamping even with nearby conductors or obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensors are formed with relatively high thickness to achieve sufficient sensitivity, then detection sensitivity is improved, but it becomes difficult to insert the front ends of the sensors into narrow gaps between wires or obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp arm cross-section is designed as an asymmetric shape where the diagonal dimension is shorter than the straight dimensions. Specifically, the front end portions have a cross-section where the opposing distance between diagonal edges is shorter than the opposing distances between straight edges, allowing easier insertion into narrow gaps while maintaining sufficient thickness for sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp arm is designed with different cross-sectional dimensions at different locations. The front end portions have a shorter diagonal opposing distance to facilitate insertion into narrow gaps, while the base portions maintain sufficient thickness for structural integrity and sensor sensitivity. This local variation in dimensions resolves the contradiction between insertability and sensitivity.
2Strength
If the clamp arms are made thick to ensure structural integrity and sensor sensitivity, then strength is improved, but the opposing distance between edges increases making insertion difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp arm cross-section utilizes asymmetric geometry where the diagonal opposing distance is deliberately made shorter than the straight opposing distances. This allows the clamp arm to have sufficient material thickness for strength while presenting a smaller profile (shorter diagonal distance) for insertion into narrow spaces.
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
The design allows for reliable clamping of conductors in tight spaces by reducing the diagonal distance between edges, facilitating insertion and maintaining detection accuracy for magnetic fields.
Implementation Method 1
When using this clamp sensor to detect a current flowing through an electric wire for example
Data Source
AI summary
A clamped object is reliably clamped. A clamp sensor includes a pair of clamp arms that are formed so as to be substantially arc-shaped in plan view, that are configured so that at least one of the clamp arms is rotatable so that respective front ends of the clamp arms open and close, and that form a ring-shaped body in a state where the front ends are closed. Front end portions of the clamp arms have a pair of facing surfaces that construct the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface of the ring-shaped body, a pair of facing surfaces that construct two side surfaces of the ring-shaped body, a pair of facing surfaces that are inclined to the facing surfaces, and a pair of facing surfaces that are inclined to the facing surfaces.