Dual U-Bracket Plug-In Element for Pipe Fixing and Earth Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in elements for mechanically fixing pipes and providing electrical contacting often compromise either mechanical fixation or electrical reliability, leading to complex assemblies and insufficient performance in combining both functions.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in element featuring two interconnected U-shaped brackets, where one bracket ensures secure mechanical fixation and the other optimizes electrical contacting, with additional features like parallel arrangement and recesses for enhanced handling and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single U-shaped bracket is used to combine both mechanical fixation and electrical contacting functions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of both functions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single U-shaped bracket is segmented into two separate U-shaped brackets: one dedicated to mechanical fixation and another dedicated to electrical contacting. This segmentation allows each bracket to optimize its specific function, thereby improving overall reliability while maintaining relatively low device complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating both fixation and electrical contacting functions into a single plug-in element that contains two specialized brackets. This approach reduces device complexity by combining multiple functions in one component while maintaining high reliability through functional specialization of each bracket.
2Reliability
If separate clamps are used for mechanical fixation and electrical coupling, then the reliability of each function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate functional brackets (mechanical fixation and electrical coupling) are merged into a single integrated plug-in element. This merging maintains the reliability benefits of separate specialized components while reducing device complexity by combining them into one unified structure.
3Reliability
If additional assembly steps are introduced for electrical connection, then the reliability of electrical contacting is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection components are pre-integrated into the plug-in element during manufacturing, so that during installation, the electrical contacting is established automatically as part of the single insertion action. This preliminary integration maintains reliable electrical contacting while eliminating additional assembly steps, thereby improving ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The plug-in element (10) has a U-shaped holder (12). A connecting unit (13) is assigned to the U-shaped holder. The plug-in element has another U-shaped holder (11) connected with the former U-shaped holder. The plug-in element is formed integrally as spring element, and is also formed as a punched, bent part.