Conductor Clamp Assembly With Protrusions for Stronger Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional clamps often fail to generate sufficient clamping force to securely retain conductors, leading to poor connections or bonds in grounding and bonding applications.
Innovation Solution
A clamp assembly featuring a first and second plate with engagement surfaces and grooves, along with protrusions that extend from the grooves to engage the conductor, and an adjustable fastener to tighten the assembly and deform the conductor for enhanced retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional clamps are used to secure conductors, then the clamp structure is simple, but the clamping force is insufficient to retain the conductor securely
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into multiple functional components: engagement surfaces with grooves for conductor positioning, protrusions extending from grooves to engage the conductor, and an adjustable fastener system. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function that collectively generates sufficient clamping force while maintaining a manageable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp incorporates an adjustable fastener that allows dynamic adjustment of the clamping force. The fastener can be tightened to increase the spacing reduction between engagement surfaces, thereby increasing the clamping force as needed, rather than being fixed at a single force level.
2Reliability
If traditional clamps are used, then the clamp design is simple, but the connection quality between clamp and conductor is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement surfaces feature localized grooves and protrusions that create specific engagement points with the conductor. The grooves guide and position the conductor, while the protrusions extend to engage the conductor at multiple points, creating localized high-quality connections that improve overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves and protrusions are designed to automatically guide and position the conductor during installation. The conductor naturally aligns with the grooves and is engaged by the protrusions without requiring precise manual positioning, allowing the clamp structure itself to serve the function of alignment and secure engagement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional clamps are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the clamp cannot prevent conductor splaying or separation
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions extend from the grooves in a direction transverse to the groove axis, creating engagement points that wrap around the conductor. This three-dimensional engagement configuration prevents the conductor from splaying or separating by engaging it from multiple directions, rather than just compressing it from two opposite sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp combines different geometric features (grooves, protrusions, engagement surfaces) into a composite structure that performs multiple functions simultaneously: positioning, engaging, and securing the conductor. This composite approach prevents conductor degradation while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication processes.
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 clamp assembly effectively increases the force required to remove the conductor, ensuring a strong and reliable connection that meets or exceeds current standards, while preventing conductor splaying or separation.
Implementation Method 1
a fastener extending through the first plate and the second plate to adjustably reduce a spacing between the second plate and the first plate, to clamp a conductor between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface
Implementation Method 2
The clamp assembly can include a first protrusion extending from the first groove to engage the conductor... the distal end of one or more of the first, second, or third protrusions can define a recessed channel oriented to receive the conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
A clamp assembly (105) for securing a conductor can include a first plate (115) with a first groove (410) having a first width transverse to a first groove axis and a first protrusion (305) extending away from the first groove and forming a recessed channel disposed outside of the first groove. The clamp assembly can further include a second plate (135) with a second groove (625) having a second width transverse to a second groove axis and a pair of second protrusions (315) extending away from the second groove, each second protrusion of the pair forming a recessed channel disposed outside of the second groove. In an installed configuration the first protrusion is arranged between the pair of second protrusions relative to an elongate direction of the first and second grooves to deform the conductor around the first protrusion.