Ground Clamp Hexagonal Pocket Ball Stud Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing C-type grounding clamps with ball stud attachments often rely on round holes for threading or welding, which can be insecure and difficult to rotate, posing challenges for effective and reliable attachment and locking of ball studs.
Innovation Solution
A metal ground clamp with a hexagonal pocket for the internal ball stud and a through-hole for the external ball stud, allowing for non-rotatable seating and threading to securely lock the studs together, using a hexagonal collar to prevent rotation and enhance the locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a round hole is used for threading ball studs to the clamp, then the installation is simplified, but the attachment becomes insecure and difficult to rotate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by replacing the symmetric round hole with an asymmetric hexagonal pocket. This hexagonal shape provides both ease of installation (similar to round holes) and improved reliability through its geometric structure that prevents rotation and secures the ball stud attachment more effectively.
2Ease of manufacture
If a round hole is used for threading ball studs, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the locking mechanism becomes ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The hexagonal pocket introduces asymmetric geometry that enables effective locking. The hexagonal shape allows the ball stud to be inserted easily (maintaining manufacturing simplicity) while the angular surfaces of the hexagon engage with corresponding features to create a positive locking mechanism that prevents loosening during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the spherical ball shape of the ball stud in conjunction with the hexagonal pocket. The curved spherical surface of the ball stud complements the angular hexagonal pocket, allowing for easy insertion while the hexagonal geometry provides the locking action through its flat surfaces and corners that engage with matching features on the clamp.
3Strength
If welding is used to permanently attach ball studs, then the attachment strength is increased, but the complexity of installation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the ball stud from the clamp body, allowing the ball stud to be a removable component rather than permanently welded. The hexagonal pocket provides a secure mechanical interface that maintains attachment strength while enabling the ball stud to be independently installed, removed, or replaced without affecting the clamp structure, thereby reducing installation and maintenance complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A grounding clamp carries a through-hole where one end of the hole or opening carries a multi-sided socket, such as a hex-shaped socket or depression. A pair of ball studs extend in part into the through-hole and threadably lock together trapping or sandwiching the clamp therebetween. One of the ball studs is blocked from rotating by the hex-shaped socket. As the other ball stud is rotated onto it, the three components, the clamp and the two ball studs form a composite grounding assembly which is locked together.