Dead End Connector Rotation Limiter Tab
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dead end electrical connectors for core and stranded cables can damage brittle insulators during installation due to excessive rotation, leading to increased costs and potential damage to the insulating components.
Innovation Solution
A dead end connector design featuring a clevis section with a tab that limits rotation in one direction, preventing excessive pivoting and contact damage to the insulator, while allowing easy assembly and alignment with an eyebolt, and incorporating jaws to clamp onto the cable core.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dead end connector is allowed to rotate freely during installation, then easy assembly and alignment with the eyebolt is achieved, but excessive rotation occurs causing damage to brittle insulators
Solution Approach 1:
The tab extends across the gap to form a rotation limiter that contacts the eyebolt and prevents excessive rotation in one direction before installation is complete. This preliminary restriction counteracts the potential harmful rotation that would damage the insulator, while still allowing sufficient freedom for initial alignment and assembly.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rotation limiter is added to prevent insulator damage, then protection of insulators is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation limiter function is merged into the existing tab structure of the dead end connector. The tab that already exists in the connector design is extended to span across the gap and contact the eyebolt, combining the structural support function with the rotation limiting function in a single integrated element rather than adding a separate mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tab extends across the gap to limit rotation, then rotation control is improved, but alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is positioned to extend only partially across the gap, creating a localized rotation limit that allows freedom of movement in the alignment phase while restricting rotation once installation is underway. The tab contacts the eyebolt at a specific location to provide rotation control without interfering with the initial alignment process.
Data Source
AI summary
A dead end connector member including a shaft section and a clevis section. The shaft section includes a ridge section, wherein the ridge section is sized and shaped to have an outer sleeve compressed thereon to connect the outer sleeve to the shaft section. The clevis section has a front end connected to the shaft section. The clevis section includes two spaced legs forming an eyebolt receiving gap between the legs. Each leg comprises a pin hole adapted to receive a fastener to rotatably connected the dead end connector to an eyebolt of another member. The clevis section includes a tab at a rear end of the clevis section. The tab extends at least partially across the gap to form a rotation limiter adapted to contact one side of the eyebolt and limit rotation of the dead end connector member relative to the eyebolt in only one direction.