Earthing Connection Piece Using Aluminum Alloy and Copper Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connection devices, particularly wire clamps and earth connection devices, face challenges due to the high cost and weight of copper materials, and the issue of eddy currents in high-power applications, as well as oxidation concerns with aluminum alloys.

Innovation Solution

The use of an aluminum alloy for the connecting piece, coated with a protective layer of tin, zinc, silver, or gold, and an intermediate copper layer to prevent oxidation and promote bonding, along with a non-magnetic earth connection part to minimize eddy currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If copper is used for the connecting piece, then excellent electrical conductivity is achieved, but weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidweight of connecting piece
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece uses a composite structure with an aluminum alloy core providing light weight and a copper coating layer providing excellent electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. This composite approach combines the advantages of both materials while eliminating their individual disadvantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

A copper intermediate layer is deposited on the aluminum alloy connecting piece to serve as a mediator that provides the electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance properties of copper while maintaining the light weight of aluminum. This intermediate layer resolves the contradiction between conductivity requirements and weight constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If copper is used for the connecting piece, then excellent electrical conductivity is achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece uses a composite structure with an aluminum alloy core providing light weight and a copper coating layer providing excellent electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. This composite approach combines the advantages of both materials while eliminating their individual disadvantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

A copper intermediate layer is deposited on the aluminum alloy connecting piece to serve as a mediator that provides the electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance properties of copper while maintaining the light weight of aluminum. This intermediate layer resolves the contradiction between conductivity requirements and weight constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Weight of moving object

If aluminum alloy is used for the connecting piece, then weight is reduced, but oxidation resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of connecting pieceVSAvoidoxidation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece uses a composite structure with an aluminum alloy core providing light weight and a copper coating layer providing excellent electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. This composite approach combines the advantages of both materials while eliminating their individual disadvantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

A copper intermediate layer is deposited on the aluminum alloy connecting piece to serve as a mediator that provides the electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance properties of copper while maintaining the light weight of aluminum. This intermediate layer resolves the contradiction between conductivity requirements and weight constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If non-magnetic material is used for earth connection part, then eddy currents are minimized, but bonding strength with copper wires deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeddy current resistanceVSAvoidbonding strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The earth connection part uses a composite structure with a non-magnetic aluminum alloy core minimizing eddy currents and a copper coating layer providing strong bonding with copper wires. This composite approach combines the advantages of both materials while eliminating their individual disadvantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

A copper intermediate layer is deposited on the non-magnetic aluminum alloy earth connection part to serve as a mediator that provides strong bonding compatibility with copper wires while maintaining the non-magnetic properties of aluminum that minimize eddy currents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution reduces the weight and cost of the connection devices while preventing oxidation and eddy currents, ensuring reliable electrical continuity and protection against galvanic corrosion.

Implementation Method 1

a layer of a bonding material is deposited on the surface of the earth connection part, between the non-magnetic material and the layer of protective material... the bonding material is copper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation prevention: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

a layer of a protective material is deposited on the surface of the part ground connection... the protective material is tin, or zinc, or silver or gold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProtective coating: Coatings

Data Source

PatentEP3490073B1Device for electrical connection to earth
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 TYCO ELECTRONICS SERVICES GMBH
  • EP3490073B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3490073B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3490073B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Electrical earthing connection device for a wire clamp (1), the device comprising an earthing connection piece (10), and a support piece (16), the earthing connection piece (10) being clamped between the wire clamp (1) and the support piece (16) and held in contact with the wire clamp (1), the earthing connection piece (10) being made of a non-magnetic material, with a layer of a protective material deposited on the surface of the earthing connection piece (10).