Earthing Clip Wedging Insulated Wire Without Stripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grounding clips require stripping of the ground wire and are cumbersome, with unreliable electrical contact and risk of disengagement, especially when used for solar panels and telephone cables.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece metal U-clip with longitudinal and transverse slots that wedge the ground wire between the support and the clip, allowing secure engagement without stripping, featuring adjustable slot widths to cut the insulating sheath and ensure electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional grounding clips with separate components are used, then the ground wire can be secured, but the device becomes cumbersome and requires wire stripping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated grounding clip structure. The U-shaped body with longitudinal and transverse slots integrates wire insertion, insulation cutting, and electrical contact functions into one component, eliminating the need for separate stripping tools and multiple assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding clip performs self-service by automatically cutting the insulating sheath through the tapered transverse slot design. As the ground wire is inserted, the narrowing slot width naturally cuts the insulation without requiring external stripping tools, and the deformable lugs automatically secure the wire in place.
2Reliability
If deformable lugs are added to secure the ground wire, then wire maintenance is improved, but the device becomes more cumbersome and protrudes significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable lugs are integrated directly into the U-shaped body of the grounding clip as continuous deformable portions, rather than being separate components. This merging of the retention mechanism into the main structure provides reliable wire securing without adding significant bulk or complexity to the overall device.
3Reliability
If the ground wire is stripped before insertion, then electrical contact is ensured, but additional operations are required for each wire
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding clip performs the wire stripping function automatically during installation. The tapered transverse slot with decreasing width acts as a self-contained cutting mechanism that trims the insulating sheath as the wire is inserted, eliminating the need for pre-stripping operations and enabling direct installation of insulated wires.
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse slot is pre-configured with a tapered geometry that performs the insulation cutting action automatically during the wire insertion process. This preliminary preparation of the slot structure ensures that the cutting function is executed seamlessly as part of the installation sequence, without requiring separate preparatory steps.
4Ease of manufacture
If cutouts are deformed towards the inside of slots to form knives, then wire cutting is achieved, but the ground wire orientation becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting function is merged into the transverse slot geometry itself rather than relying on separate knife protrusions. The tapered slot design performs both the cutting and wire guidance functions in one integrated feature, allowing the ground wire to extend perpendicular to the support edge in a practical orientation while automatically achieving insulation removal.
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 solution provides a simple, reliable, and quick connection of the ground wire without tools, ensuring durable and secure electrical contact without wire stripping, reducing installation complexity and enhancing usability.
Implementation Method 1
a grounding clip formed from a one-piece metal plate comprising in particular deformable lugs capable of enclosing the ground wire
Implementation Method 2
deformable lugs capable of enclosing the ground wire to guarantee its maintenance
Implementation Method 3
the walls of this grounding clip have cutouts bent towards the inside of each slot in order to protrude there and form knives capable of cutting the insulating sheath
Implementation Method 4
ensure electrical contact between the ground wire and the ground clip
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a grounding clip (1) defining a perpendicular longitudinal slot (5) and a perpendicular transverse slot (6) opening on the same side, said longitudinal slot (5) receiving the engagement of a support (100), said transverse slot (6) receiving the engagement of a grounding wire (10) comprising a conductive core (11) and an insulating sheath (12), said grounding wire (10) being wedged between said support (100) and the bottom of said transverse slot (6), the width of said longitudinal slot (5) increasing towards said base (4) over at least a "first" wing portion (P1) and simultaneously, over at least a "first" part (P11) of said "first" wing portion (P1), the width of said transverse slot (6) decreasing to cut through said insulating sheath (12). The invention also relates to a grounding assembly comprising such a grounding clip (1).