Barbed Retaining Clip for Secure Solar Panel Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retaining clips for securing electrical wiring in solar panel assemblies do not effectively prevent removal of the wiring, as the force required to remove the clip is not significantly greater than the force needed to install it, leading to potential dislodging and instability.
Innovation Solution
A retaining clip design featuring resilient cantilevered prongs with pointed barbs that project into a gap between side walls, increasing the removal force by at least twice the installation force, and a method of forming the clip from sheet metal using punching and bending to create these prongs, ensuring secure retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional retaining clips are used to secure electrical wiring in solar panel assemblies, then the wiring can be retained, but the force required to remove the clip is not significantly greater than the force needed to install it, leading to potential dislodging and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip features barbed prongs that concentrate retention force at specific localized points on the wiring harness. These barbs create high-friction contact zones that significantly increase the force required for removal compared to conventional smooth-edged clips, while maintaining overall clip simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed prongs are designed with asymmetric geometry where the barbs point in the direction opposite to removal. This asymmetric structure allows easy installation (pushing the wiring onto the clip) but creates substantial resistance during removal, making the removal force at least twice greater than the installation force.
2Reliability
If resilient cantilevered prongs with pointed barbs are used to increase removal force, then retention stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip is segmented into multiple independent cantilevered prongs, each equipped with barbs. This segmentation allows each prong to independently engage the wiring harness, distributing the retention load and providing redundant securing points that enhance overall reliability without requiring a completely complex structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The prongs are designed as resilient cantilevered elements that can dynamically flex during installation and removal. This dynamic characteristic allows the prongs to compress during installation to accommodate the wiring, then rebound to provide continuous retention pressure, while the barbs create asymmetric resistance during removal attempts.
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 clip securely retains electrical wiring by requiring a significantly higher force to remove than to install, minimizing chafing and ensuring stability, with tested results showing a removal force twice that of the installation force, even with varying panel thicknesses and materials.
Implementation Method 1
The retaining clip includes a resilient first cantilevered prong projecting into the first gap from the first side wall and a resilient second cantilevered prong projecting from into the first gap from the second side wall
Data Source
AI summary
A retaining clip configured to secure an elongate member to a generally planar panel is described herein. The retaining clip includes a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, and an end wall interconnecting the side walls. The side walls define a gap configured to receive the panel. The retaining clip includes further includes a resilient first cantilevered prong projecting into the gap from the first side wall and a resilient second cantilevered prong projecting from into the first gap from the second side wall. Free ends of the first and second prongs are characterized as having a pair of pointed barbs on distal edges of the first and second prongs. The pointed barbs are configured to increase a removal force required to remove the panel from the first gap. A method of forming such a retaining clip is also described.