Deformable Sleeve Armor Fixing Device for Street Lighting Poles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for fixing armors to street lighting poles are cumbersome and require partial centering, limiting quick installation and maintenance, especially in varying rod sizes and shapes, and do not allow free orientation of the lighting body.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a deformable insulating sleeve body with a socket element that adapts to the rod's shape and size, featuring a catch portion for secure attachment and a plug element for electrical connection, allowing quick and secure mechanical and electrical coupling without specific orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fixing methods with multiple screws and centering operations are used, then reliable mechanical connection is achieved, but installation time and road blockage duration increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical connection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing device is divided into two independent functional elements: a socket element that provides mechanical support and a plug element that provides electrical connection. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently and enables parallel installation operations, reducing total installation time while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The socket element is pre-installed on the rod before the armor arrives. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site centering operations and screw tightening during armor installation, allowing the armor with its plug element to be quickly coupled to the pre-positioned socket, significantly reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If telescopic ladders or elevating vehicles are used to access the armor, then proper access for maintenance operations is achieved, but equipment complexity and traffic deviation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to armorVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex mechanical access systems (telescopic ladders, elevating vehicles) are replaced by a simplified ground-level coupling operation. The quick-connect mechanism allows maintenance personnel to service the armor from the ground without requiring elevated access equipment, eliminating traffic deviations and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If guiding bushings and centering operations are used, then proper alignment between armor and rod is achieved, but installation time increases and operator safety decreases due to rain or low visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidcentering operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The socket element and plug element are designed with self-aligning features that automatically guide the armor into correct position on the rod during coupling. This self-service alignment mechanism eliminates the need for operator-performed centering operations, reducing installation time and eliminating safety risks associated with manual centering in adverse weather conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Stability of the object's composition

If fixed orientation bushings are used, then mechanical stability is achieved, but freedom of orientation for lighting body adjustment is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidorientation freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation of mechanical support (socket element) and electrical connection (plug element) functions allows the mechanical connection to provide stable positioning while the lighting body mounted on the armor retains full rotational freedom. The socket element establishes a stable reference point without constraining the orientation of the lighting apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables rapid and secure fixing of armors to street lighting poles, independent of rod size or shape, reducing installation time and maintaining road accessibility while protecting connections from atmospheric influences.

Implementation Method 1

A device comprising a deformable insulating sleeve body with a socket element that adapts to the rod's shape and size

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2097671B1Device for quickly fixing an armor to a rod of a street lighting pole

Publication Date: 2014.10.08 CONCHIGLIA

Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a

AI summary

The object of the present invention is a device (1) for quickly fixing an armor (2) of a street lighting pole (30), of the type comprising a hollow rod (3), said rod being provided with an axial bore (4) for housing a plurality of electrical cables (6). The device (1) comprises a socket element (7), to be fixed to said rod (3) and connected to said electrical cables (6), and a plug element (18), to be fixed to said rod (2) and electrically connected to said socket element (7). Advantageously, according to the invention, said socket element (7) comprises a sleeve body (7a) which is sized so as to be enclosed in said rod (3) and is provided with at least an attachment portion, for fixing said socket element (7) in pressing contact against an internal surface of said rod (3).