Flat Belt Pickup With Movable Actuating Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ribbon taps either require multiple connection contacts for each wire, making selective tapping inefficient, or have unchangeable phase selection, limiting flexibility in contacting only the necessary wires and adapting to different tapping requirements.

Innovation Solution

A ribbon tap design featuring a movable actuating element that selectively activates and deactivates contact points, allowing for adjustable phase selection and space-saving configuration, with options for diagonal displacement to accommodate higher electrical potentials, and incorporating pivotable and rotatable connection contacts for enhanced functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If connection contacts are provided for each wire of the ribbon cable, then all wires can be contacted, but the device complexity increases and space is wasted when only a few wires need to be tapped

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective tapping capabilityVSAvoidnumber of connection contacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a movable carriage that can be positioned at different locations along the ribbon cable to selectively contact different wires. This dynamic positioning mechanism replaces the static arrangement of multiple fixed connection contacts, allowing the same physical contact element to serve multiple wires sequentially, thereby reducing the total number of contacts needed while maintaining full adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The single connection contact on the movable carriage serves multiple functions by contacting different wires at different positions. This universal contact element replaces multiple specialized contacts, each dedicated to a specific wire, achieving the same tapping capability with fewer components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a fixed phase selection element is used, then the structure is simple, but the selected phase cannot be changed after connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase selection flexibilityVSAvoidcontact assignment changeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable carriage enables dynamic reconfiguration of contact assignments by allowing the user to reposition the contact element to different wires after initial connection. This replaces fixed, immutable phase selection with a flexible system that can adapt to changing requirements without increasing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The carriage system allows preliminary positioning and testing of contact points before final connection is made, enabling users to select the optimal wire for each tap function and then lock the carriage in place, providing both flexibility during setup and stability during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Volume of moving object

If the carriage is displaced at right angles to the wires, then space is saved, but air and creepage distances are reduced for higher electrical potentials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveribbon tap sizeVSAvoidelectrical potential safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing the longitudinal dimension along the ribbon cable rather than compressing everything in the transverse direction. The carriage travels along the length of the cable, distributing components in the longitudinal dimension to maintain adequate spacing for electrical safety while achieving compactness in the transverse dimension, effectively trading one dimensional arrangement for another

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables efficient, flexible, and space-saving selective tapping of specific wires in ribbon cables, allowing for permanent contact with protective and neutral conductors while selectively branching off electrical potentials, with the ability to change contact assignments and accommodate higher electrical potentials.

Implementation Method 1

the cutting edges cut through the insulating jacket of the ribbon cable and clamp the wire to be contacted between them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The actuating element serves as a drive element for a connection contact and thus switches the connection contact back and forth between different contact points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the connection contacts are designed as piercing screws... the piercing screw pierces the insulating jacket and forms a physical contact with the wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2945224B1Flat belt pickup
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 WIELAND ELECTRIC GMBH
  • EP2945224B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP2945224B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2945224B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Flat ribbon tap (1) with a flat ribbon cable (2) having several parallel conductors and with a connecting contact penetrating at least one insulating sheath (7) of a conductor (6) of the flat ribbon cable (2), wherein several contact points are formed on the flat ribbon tap (1), wherein each contact point is assigned to a specific conductor (6) of the flat ribbon cable (2), and wherein an actuating element movable back and forth between the contact points releases one contact point to the contact point for contacting and at the same time deactivates the other unreleased contact points.