Clamp Sensor Shield Contact Design for Wire Diameter Variability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamp sensors face issues with contact failure between electromagnetic wave shields or electrodes when clamping wires of varying diameters, leading to compromised shielding performance and measurement accuracy due to gaps between the shields or electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A clamp sensor design featuring first and second conductors with contact portions, where one contact portion is a leaf spring protruding parallel to the pivoting axis, allowing for elastic deformation and increased contact strength between the conductors, thereby reducing the likelihood of contact failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a third clamp arm is added to surround the outer periphery of the electric wire, then the shield performance and measurement accuracy are improved, but the device complexity increases and a separate contact prevention means is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the third clamp arm with either the first or second clamp arm to form an integrated clamp structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate contact prevention means while maintaining the shielding function, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated clamp structure serves multiple functions: it provides electromagnetic shielding, ensures reliable contact between conductors, and maintains adaptability to different wire diameters. By making the third clamp arm part of the existing clamp mechanism, it becomes a multi-functional component that contributes to both shielding and contact stability
2Reliability
If a cable is used to connect two shields or electrodes, then contact failure is prevented, but the cable may inhibit the motion of the clamp arm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the contact function from the clamp arm motion system by providing dedicated contact portions on the conductors that engage with each other independently of the clamp arm's pivoting motion. This separation allows the clamp arm to move freely while maintaining reliable electrical contact between the shields or electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The contact portions act as intermediary elements between the conductors, enabling reliable electrical connection without requiring a physical cable that would restrict clamp arm movement. These contact portions facilitate the transfer of electrical signal or power while allowing mechanical freedom of the clamp mechanism
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 enhances the contact strength between conductors, minimizing the risk of contact failure and improving the shielding effect and measurement accuracy by ensuring consistent contact across varying wire diameters.
Implementation Method 1
One of the first contact portion and the second contact portion comprises a leaf spring portion protruding in a width direction parallel to the pivoting axis and inclined with respect to the width direction so as to approach other of the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The first contact portion and the second contact portion come into contact with each other in a state where one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is pressed by the other and the leaf spring portion is bent by elastic deformation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Technical Problem To provide a clamp sensor capable of reducing a possibility of contact failure between two conductors surrounding an outer periphery of a measurement object. Solution to Problem A clamp sensor 10 includes clamp arms 30 and 40 configured to pivot about a pivoting axis 51 and clamp a measurement object 60, a first electrode 71 and a second electrode 72 provided on the clamp arms 30 and 40, the first electrode 71 and the second electrode 72 configured to measure a measured amount of the measurement object 60, a first shield conductor 30A provided on the clamp arm 30 so as to face an outer circumferential surface 60A of the measurement object 60, the first shield conductor 30A including a first contact portion 30Aa, and a second shield conductor 40A provided on the clamp arm 40 so as to face an outer circumferential surface 60A of the measurement object 60, the second shield conductor 40A including a second contact portion 40Aa. The first contact portion 30Aa and the second contact portion 40Aa come into contact with each other in a state where the second contact portion 40Aa is pressed by the first contact portion 30Aa and the second contact portion 40Aa is bent by elastic deformation.