Two-Part Grounding Clamp Assembly for Stable Cable Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grounding clamps for coaxial cables in vehicles face issues with component instability during installation, complex soldering processes, and undefined electrical conductivity, leading to potential cable slippage and connection failures under dynamic forces.
Innovation Solution
A two-part grounding clamp design with complementary locking mechanisms and a central fastener opening, eliminating the need for hinges and soldering, ensuring secure and planar clamping forces without material stress, and providing anti-rotation features for stable installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a hinge is used to connect clamping elements, then the grounding clamp can be assembled, but component instability and cracking occur during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding clamp is divided into two separate clamping elements (first clamping element and second clamping element) that are connected through complementary locking means rather than a hinge. This segmentation eliminates the hinge while allowing the clamp to open for cable insertion and close for secure fastening, resolving the contradiction between assemblability and component stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge connection is completely removed from the design. Instead of using a hinge to connect the clamping elements, the invention uses separate clamping elements with complementary locking means that engage when closed. This extraction of the problematic hinge component eliminates cracking and instability while maintaining the functional ability to assemble and disassemble the clamp.
2Reliability
If soldering is used to establish electrical connection, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but the process becomes complex and heat damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection is established through direct mechanical contact between contact elements and the cable conductor, replacing the soldering process entirely. This mechanical contact method achieves reliable electrical conductivity without the complexity of soldering operations and without exposing components to damaging heat, resolving the contradiction between conductivity reliability and process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact elements are designed as simple, replaceable components that provide electrical connection through direct contact. Rather than requiring permanent solder joints, these contact elements can be easily replaced if needed, simplifying the overall process while maintaining reliable electrical conductivity throughout the service life of the grounding clamp.
3Reliability
If cables are pressed and soldered for connection, then electrical contact is established, but cable slippage and connection failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the mechanical clamping function and electrical contact function into a unified structure. The clamping elements simultaneously provide mechanical compression to prevent cable slippage and house contact elements that establish electrical connection. This combined approach ensures that both mechanical stability and electrical reliability are achieved together, eliminating the separate pressing and soldering steps that caused connection failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact elements are designed with curved or rounded contact surfaces that conform to the cable conductor shape. This curved contact geometry increases the contact area and distributes the contact pressure, improving both electrical conductivity and mechanical grip on the cable, thereby preventing slippage and connection failure while maintaining reliable electrical contact.
4Device complexity
If a single clamping element is used, then the structure is simple, but secure fastening under dynamic forces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single clamping element is segmented into two separate clamping elements that work together. Each element can be independently positioned and secured, allowing for more distributed fastening points and better load distribution under dynamic forces. This segmentation increases fastening strength while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity through the use of complementary locking means.
Solution Approach 2:
The two clamping elements are designed with asymmetric complementary locking means that engage in a specific orientation. This asymmetric design provides enhanced mechanical interlocking and prevents rotation or disengagement under dynamic forces, increasing fastening strength while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through purposeful asymmetric geometry rather than complex additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
A grounding clamp for connecting a cable to an electrical ground includes first and second clamping elements, which tightly abut against one another in an assembled state so that the cable is clampable therebetween. A contact is arranged on the first clamping element to contact a conductive section of the cable in the assembled state. An opening extending through the clamping elements is configured such that a fastener is guidable therethrough and the grounding clamp is connectable to the ground using the fastener. Mutually complementary first and second locking means are also provided. The first locking means are arranged on two opposite sides of the first clamping element and the second locking means are arranged on two opposite sides of the second clamping element. In the assembled state, the locking means are engaged with one another and are arranged on both sides along the cable.