Conductor Bar Clip Structure for Secure Retention and Easy Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clips for attaching conductor bars, such as those described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-339111, fail to reliably and stably secure the conductor bars due to insufficient engagement with the object member, leading to potential dropping off.
Innovation Solution
A clip design featuring a structurally rigidified base, a first side wall with an inclined guide portion and elastic strip, and a second side wall with a retainer strip that elastically deforms to securely hold the conductor bar, ensuring it is pressed against the second side wall and covered by the retainer strip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engagement projection is made to contact the upper surface of the conductor bar, then the conductor bar can be prevented from dropping off, but the clip structure becomes more complex and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is divided into functional segments: the engagement projection for securing the conductor bar, the retainer strip for additional prevention, and the guide portion for alignment. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve reliable conductor bar retention through distributed simple features rather than a single complex feature.
2Reliability
If the engagement projection is enlarged to improve contact with the conductor bar, then retention reliability improves, but the ease of insertion of the conductor bar deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion with its inclined surface performs the preliminary action of guiding and aligning the conductor bar before it reaches the engagement projection. This preliminary alignment action ensures that the conductor bar is properly positioned, allowing the engagement projection to securely retain the bar without requiring excessive size that would hinder insertion.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the clip uses a rigid structure to hold the conductor bar, then the holding stability improves, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to increased structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer strip is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the conductor bar. The elastic strip can deform to accommodate the bar during insertion and then exert retaining force to prevent dropping. This dynamic, elastic feature achieves stable holding with a simpler structure than a completely rigid retention 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 clip effectively prevents the conductor bar from dropping off by securely holding it in the receiving space, providing reliable attachment to the object member.
Implementation Method 1
The guide portion includes an elastic strip formed in a lower end periphery thereof and configured to press the conductor bar held in the receiving space against the second side wall
Implementation Method 2
The first side wall includes a guide portion formed in an inner surface thereof and having an inclined surface that is configured to obliquely guide the conductor bar passing through the upper opening to the receiving space
Implementation Method 3
The retainer strip is formed in an upper end of the second side wall and is configured to cover an upper surface of the conductor bar held in the receiving space
Data Source
AI summary
A clip configured to hold an elongated conductor bar may include a structurally rigidified base, a first side wall and a second side wall vertically extending upward from the base and having an upper opening, a receiving space defined by the base, the first side wall and the second side wall, and a retainer strip formed in an upper end of the second side wall. The first side wall includes a guide portion formed in an inner surface thereof and having an inclined surface. The guide portion includes an elastic strip formed in a lower end periphery thereof and configured to press the conductor bar held in the receiving space against the second side wall. The retainer strip projects into the upper opening, thereby defining an upper opening portion in the upper opening.