Electrical Connector Movable Bushing Smooth Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors for end-to-end connections of electrical conductors face challenges in secure and easy mounting, particularly due to the need for a smooth outer surface to facilitate the assembly of elastic sleeves, which is disrupted by screw heads and openings, and they struggle with accommodating varying conductor diameters and positional inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector design featuring a movable conductive bushing within a separate cover member, allowing for tilting and rotational adjustments to center the cable, with a smooth outer surface and bearing pins for secure alignment, and a roughened inner surface for enhanced contact and lubricant retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If screws and openings are used to connect the sleeve to the sleeve cover, then mechanical and electrical connection is achieved, but the outer surface becomes non-smooth which disrupts the grease film and complicates elastic sleeve assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connection strengthVSAvoidelastic sleeve assembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful elements (screw heads and openings) from the outer surface by providing a smooth outer surface that contacts the elastic sleeve, while maintaining the necessary mechanical connection functions through alternative means that do not disrupt the surface smoothness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector is divided into functional zones: the outer surface is segmented to be smooth for elastic sleeve contact, while internal structures handle the mechanical connection functions, separating the surface requirement from the connection requirement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a fixed connector design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot accommodate varying conductor diameters and positional inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidconductor diameter accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connector incorporates movable elements that allow adjustment and adaptation to different conductor diameters and positional variations, transforming a static fixed design into a dynamic adaptable structure while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connector design allows for parameter variations (such as movable positions, adjustable clearances) to accommodate different conductor sizes and alignment tolerances, enabling a single design to handle multiple specifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a smooth outer surface is provided for elastic sleeve assembly, then sleeve mounting is facilitated, but mechanical connection features like screw heads cannot be present

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelastic sleeve assembly easeVSAvoidmechanical connection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful surface features (screw heads, openings) are extracted from the outer surface that contacts the elastic sleeve, removing the conflict between smooth surface requirement and mechanical connection features

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical connection features are relocated to internal dimensions or different spatial locations where they do not interfere with the outer surface smoothness, allowing both smooth outer surface and strong mechanical connection to coexist

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3001523B1Electrical connector for end-to-end connection
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 TYCO ELECTRONICS RAYCHEM GMBH
  • EP3001523B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3001523B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3001523B1 patent drawingFigure 4-1~4-4

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrical connector for end-to-end connection of electrical conductors. Electrical cable connectors are used frequently in the electrical fields, and in particular, in the field of high voltage energy transmission, for electrically connecting or terminating length of cables. An electrical connector (100) according to the present invention comprises an electrically conductive connector bushing (102) for receiving and mechanically fixing said electrical conductors, and a cover member (104) for at least partly encasing said connector bushing (102), wherein said connector bushing (102) is supported movably within said cover member (104) in an assembled state.