Elastic Metal Clip for Tool-Free Cable Tray Interconnection
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical interconnection devices require tools for assembly with cable tray and electrical cable sections, making them inconvenient and less efficient for installation and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
An elastic metal clip with flexible tabs that can be assembled and disassembled without tools, allowing for secure mechanical fastening of both warp and weft wires from the cable tray and electrical cables, featuring non-return tabs and adjustable housings for variable cable sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional screw clamps or jaw devices are used, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but tools are required for assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs an elastic metal clip that can dynamically change its shape during assembly and disassembly. The clip's flexibility allows it to deform elastically to receive cables and warp threads, then return to its original shape to secure them, enabling tool-free operation while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic metal clip serves itself by using its own elasticity to both assemble and disassemble the connection. The clip's inherent mechanical properties allow it to automatically grip and release components without requiring external tools or complex mechanisms
2Productivity
If screw-nut assembly with washers is used, then secure mechanical fastening is achieved, but assembly requires tools and time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex screw-nut-washer assembly mechanism and replaces it with a simplified elastic clip structure. This removes unnecessary components while retaining the essential function of mechanical fastening, enabling rapid tool-free assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the mechanical parameter from rigid threaded connection to elastic deformation. The clip's elastic modulus and dimensional parameters are designed to provide sufficient clamping force through elastic recovery, achieving secure fastening without threaded fasteners
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size housings are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different cable sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing dimensions are made dynamic through the elastic properties of the metal clip. The clip can elastically deform to accommodate different cable diameters and tray configurations, providing adaptability while maintaining consistent electrical connection quality across various sizes
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 enables tool-free assembly and disassembly of electrical interconnection devices, ensuring secure and adaptable connections for cable trays and electrical cables of different sections, enhancing safety, convenience, and cost-effectiveness during installation and use.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical interconnection device formed by an elastic metal clip (6). The elastic metal clip (6) comprises a main wall (10) extending generally along a main plane, an internal wall (13) extending from a first end (11) of the main wall (10)... a first flexible tab (15) configured to project into the first housing (7) and thus urge the portion of the warp wire (3)... a second flexible tab (16) configured to project into the second housing (8) and thus to stress the portion of the cable section (5)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical interconnection device configured to establish an equipotential connection between a section of cable tray (2) and a section of electrical cable (5), comprising a first housing (7) configured to receive a first portion of a warp (3) and/or weft (4) wire of said section of cable tray and a second housing (8) configured to receive a portion of said section of electrical cable; said device being formed by an elastic metal clip (6) comprising a first flexible tab configured to protrude into said first housing and thus stress said first portion of warp and/or weft wire when it is received in said first housing, as well as a second flexible tab configured to protrude into said second housing and thus stress said portion of said section of electrical cable when it is received in said second housing.