Grounding Clamp with Integrated Contact Element and Guide Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grounding clamps are either complex and expensive to manufacture or fail to provide reliable contact with the device being grounded due to inadequate arrangement of contact elements and guide means, leading to insufficient clamping force and difficulty in reuse.
Innovation Solution
A grounding clamp design featuring a fastening section with a contact element and guide means arranged adjacent to each other, allowing direct transfer of clamping pressure for stable contact, and using a pipe clamp or similar fastening means for cost-effective production and adaptability to different diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If grounding clamps use complex construction with separate half-shells and lateral flanges, then reliable contact can be achieved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the contact element and guide means into a single integrated fastening section that is directly formed on the clamp body. This eliminates the need for separate half-shells and lateral flanges, reducing manufacturing steps and assembly operations while maintaining reliable electrical contact through the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening section serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical contact through the contact element, guides the pipe clamp through the guide means, and secures the grounding wire. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while achieving reliable contact and proper installation guidance.
2Ease of operation
If grounding clamps use metal strip deformation fixation, then the clamp can be attached to the pipe, but the clamping force is insufficient and removal/reuse becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pipe clamp as an intermediary component that applies external force to compress the grounding clamp against the pipe. This mediator provides sufficient clamping force that cannot be achieved by metal strip deformation alone, while still allowing for relatively easy attachment and removal of the grounding clamp from the pipe.
3Shape
If grounding clamps have long load paths between lugs and contact elements, then the structure can accommodate larger sizes, but unintentional deformation occurs under high clamping forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the clamp into distinct functional zones: the contact element for electrical connection, the guide means for pipe clamp positioning, and the fastening section for securing the grounding wire. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing unwanted deformation while maintaining overall clamp size and structural integrity.
4Reliability
If grounding clamps use many undercuts for fastening, then secure attachment is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from complex undercut features and implements it through a simpler guide means that works with a standard pipe clamp. The guide means provides the necessary positioning and securing without requiring multiple undercuts, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining secure attachment.
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
Ensures good and stable contact with the device being grounded, allows for cost-effective production with minimal material loss, and enables flexible attachment and reuse by using conventional pipe clamps.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping pressure of the strongly clamping pipe clamp is transferred directly to the contact element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The ground terminal (1) has a clamping device (2) for clamping a ground line (3) e.g. electric wire and an attachment portion (4) for attaching a guided pipe clamp (5) on a grounding unit (6) e.g. pipe. A guide unit (8) is provided for guiding the pipe clamp. A contact element (7) is placed on the grounding unit, or is provided between pipe clamp and grounding unit. The guide unit and contact element are arranged adjacent to each other and arranged onto grounding unit in the assembled condition of the ground terminal. An independent claim is included for kit with ground terminal.