Hinged Clamping Insulator with Angled Eyebolt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical utility line clamps pose safety hazards and inefficiencies for linemen due to the need for meticulous manipulation with hot sticks, potential for dropped parts, and inadequate bearing force on wires, especially when dealing with various wire diameters.
Innovation Solution
A clamping insulator with a hinged design and an eyebolt fixture that allows self-adjustment and secure attachment of wires, providing greater bearing force and easier manipulation using a hot stick, while accommodating various wire diameters through an asymmetrical fulcrum effect and angled positioning for improved access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamping arrangements with bolts and nuts are used, then the wire can be securely attached to the insulator, but the operation becomes time-consuming and hazardous requiring meticulous manipulation with hot sticks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from the clamping mechanism by using a friction-fit design where the clamp members engage with the insulator body through tapered surfaces and set screws that press against the insulator body, eliminating the need for separate bolts and nuts. This reduces the number of components and simplifies the installation process while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp members are designed to universally fit various insulator types through the friction-fit mechanism, where the tapered surfaces and adjustable set screws allow the same clamp design to securely attach to different insulator bodies without requiring multiple specialized fastening components.
2Reliability
If conventional clamping arrangements with multiple parts are used, then the wire can be secured, but the risk of dropped parts increases during installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fastening function into the clamping mechanism itself by using integrated set screws that press against the insulator body and tapered surfaces for engagement. This consolidation eliminates separate bolts, nuts, and washers, reducing the number of loose parts that could be dropped during installation or removal operations.
3Device complexity
If the bolt is positioned parallel to the ground in conventional arrangements, then the clamping mechanism can be simple, but it becomes difficult to access with hot sticks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the set screws and adjustment mechanism in a vertical orientation perpendicular to the ground, allowing linemen to access and manipulate them with hot sticks from below. This dimensional change in the adjustment mechanism orientation improves accessibility while maintaining the simplicity of the overall clamping structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional clamps are used for various wire diameters, then standardization is achieved, but the bearing force on wires of different sizes becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable set screws that allow dynamic adjustment of the clamping force on the wire. The set screws can be tightened to apply optimal bearing force on wires of different diameters, enabling the same clamp design to adapt to various wire sizes while maintaining adequate securing force through friction between the clamp members and the wire.
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping insulator for securing electrical wires to support structures comprising an insulating second clamp member, and an insulating first clamp member that is hingebly connected to the insulating second clamp member and an eyebolt, wherein the hinge is positioned at an angle relative to the electrical wire, the first clamp member is simply flipped over upon the second clamp member to secure the wire in place, the eyebolt both secures the first and second clamp members in the closed position and allows easy access for a lineman with a hot stick, and, in the closed position, the eyebolt is positioned at a compound angle relative to the ground and supporting structure it sits upon to provide easy access for a hot stick.