Expandable Ferrule Contact Fastening for Position Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The fastening and electrical contacting of electrical contact elements on conductors, particularly conductor rails, is technically complex due to limited installation space and position deviations, necessitating elastic solutions that are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A connection arrangement featuring an expandable ferrule and expansion element that clamps the electrical contact element to the conductor, allowing for compensation of positional tolerances and establishing a conductive connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If elastic electrical conductors or contact elements are used to compensate for position tolerances, then position tolerance compensation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the ferrule from rigid to expandable by inserting an expansion element, allowing the ferrule to adapt its dimensions to compensate for position tolerances between the contact element and conductor without requiring elastic materials throughout the entire connection arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The connection arrangement is divided into distinct functional segments: the expansion ferrule, the expansion element, and the contact element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design compared to using elastic materials throughout
2Reliability
If complex connection arrangements are used to ensure proper fastening, then fastening reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion ferrule is pre-formed with the capability to expand, and the expansion element is prepared in advance. During assembly, the expansion element is simply inserted into the ferrule, which then automatically expands to secure the contact element, eliminating the need for complex fastening operations or specialized manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion ferrule performs its own fastening function by expanding when the expansion element is inserted, without requiring additional fastening components or complex assembly operations. The system is self-contained and self-actuating
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, cost-effective means to securely fasten and electrically connect electrical contact elements to conductors while accommodating positional variations.
Implementation Method 1
The expansion ferrule is expanded when the expansion element is fully inserted into the expansion ferrule to clamp the electrical contact element and fasten the electrical contact element to an electrical conductor
Implementation Method 2
The expansion ferrule is expanded when the expansion element is fully inserted into the expansion ferrule to clamp the electrical contact element
Data Source
AI summary
A connection arrangement includes an expansion ferrule insertable in a slidable manner into a central opening of an electrical contact element and an expansion element inserted into the expansion ferrule. The expansion ferrule is expanded when the expansion element is fully inserted into the expansion ferrule to clamp the electrical contact element and fasten the electrical contact element to an electrical conductor.