Earthing Adapter for Metal Protective Hose
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earthing solutions for metal protective hoses are complex and require additional components like cable shoes or direct screwing, which complicates the earthing process.
Innovation Solution
A connection adapter with a line contact featuring a ring segment for the earthing line and a hose contact with contact tabs for the protective hose, where the line contact and hose contact are connected to ensure secure earthing through a friction-locking mechanism and crimping, enhancing safety and simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a comb-like or fork-like earthing contact is used to indirectly connect the metal hose to the earthing line, then the earthing connection can be established, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like cable shoes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the line contact and hose contact into a single integrated connection adapter body. The adapter directly couples the earthing line to the protective hose through its integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate cable shoes, comb-like contacts, or fork-like contacts. This merging of functions reduces the total number of components while maintaining reliable earthing connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection adapter serves multiple functions within a single component: it provides mechanical support for the earthing line, establishes electrical contact with the protective hose, and ensures proper positioning through its geometric design. The adapter body simultaneously acts as a mounting structure, electrical conductor, and alignment feature, reducing the need for specialized components.
2Device complexity
If the earthing line is directly screwed to the outer sheath of the protective hose, then the earthing connection is simplified, but the ease of operation decreases due to required screwing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The connection adapter is segmented into distinct functional zones: a reception area for the earthing line with geometric locking features, and a contact area for the protective hose with pressing elements. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while enabling tool-free assembly through simple insertion and pressing operations rather than screwing.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter incorporates self-locking geometric features that automatically secure the earthing line upon insertion. The line contact with its ring segment and the hose contact with pressing elements create automatic mechanical interlocking and electrical contact without requiring external fastening tools or operations, making the assembly process simpler and faster.
3Reliability
If a ring sleeve with crimping is used to fix the earthing line, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter body is pre-formed during manufacturing with integrated geometric locking features and contact elements in their final functional positions. The reception area for the earthing line and the pressing elements for the hose are built-in during adapter production, eliminating the need for separate crimping operations or additional assembly steps that would complicate the manufacturing process.
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 adapter simplifies the earthing process by providing a secure, friction-locking connection that prevents displacement of the earthing line and improves electrical contact with the protective hose, ensuring reliable grounding.
Implementation Method 1
The line contact, for connection to the earthing line, has at least one ring segment, which rests on the outer sheath of the earthing line
Implementation Method 2
The hose contact in turn has a contact tab, which in turn rests on the inner sheath of the protective hose
Implementation Method 3
The ring sleeve is preferably designed as a crimped sleeve, such that the earthing line can firstly be pushed without problems through the sleeve and the sleeve is then pressed, therefore ensuring that the inner sheath of the ring sleeve rests in a friction-locking manner on the outer sheath of the earthing line
Data Source
AI summary
Connection adapter for connecting an earthing line to a metal protective hose comprising a line contact having at least one ring segment resting on the outer sheath of the earthing line and comprising a hose contact having a contact tab resting on the inner sheath of the protective hose.