Hollow Conductor System with Nested Connecting Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hollow conductor systems face challenges in minimizing electrical losses and achieving mechanical stability while being lightweight and cost-optimized, especially in applications with restricted space, and require efficient assembly.

Innovation Solution

A hollow conductor system is designed by combining multiple conductors into bundles with connecting members that create voids between them, allowing for reduced weight and improved electrical properties through the use of air and material interfaces, and featuring inclined face sides and connection lines to enhance mechanical stability and shielding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If hollow conductors are combined in a hollow conductor bundle with connecting members, then the weight of the hollow conductor system is reduced, but the mechanical stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of hollow conductor systemVSAvoidmechanical stability of hollow conductor system
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting members are inserted into the hollow conductors, creating a nested structure where the connecting member is surrounded by the hollow conductor walls. This nested configuration provides mechanical stability while maintaining the lightweight advantage of separate hollow conductor formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple hollow conductors are combined into bundles with connecting members that interconnect them. The intermediate walls of the hollow conductor bundles provide structural support while the connecting members establish mechanical and electrical connections, achieving both weight reduction and mechanical stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If hollow conductors are separately formed with gaps between them, then the manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the electrical losses may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing ease of hollow conductor systemVSAvoidelectrical losses during electromagnetic wave transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting members act as intermediaries between the separately formed hollow conductors. These connecting members provide both mechanical support and electrical continuity across the gaps, enabling separate manufacturing while minimizing electrical losses through proper material selection and geometric design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gap dimensions, connecting member geometry, and material properties are optimized to minimize electrical losses. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves low electrical losses while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of separately formed hollow conductors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If connecting members are inserted into hollow conductors, then the total size of the system is reduced, but the assembly complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal size of hollow conductor systemVSAvoidassembly complexity of hollow conductor system
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow conductor system is segmented into separately formable components (hollow conductors and connecting members) that can be manufactured independently and then assembled by inserting connecting members into hollow conductors. This segmentation enables compact design while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If inclined face sides are provided on hollow conductors, then the shielding properties and mechanical stability are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding properties of hollow conductor systemVSAvoidmanufacturing precision of inclined face sides
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow conductors feature asymmetric inclined face sides rather than symmetric perpendicular ends. This asymmetric geometry improves shielding properties and mechanical stability by optimizing the interaction between connecting members and hollow conductors, while the inclination angles are designed to be manufacturable with standard precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3301754B1Hollow conductor system and method for assembling a hollow conductor system
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3301754B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A hollow conductor system (10) is described which comprises at least two hollow conductor bundles (12, 14) and at least two connecting members (16, 18, 20). Each hollow conductor bundle (12, 14) comprises at least two hollow conductors (22 - 32) separated by each other via a common intermediate wall (34 - 40). Each connecting member (16 - 20) connects one hollow conductor (22 - 32) of one hollow conductor bundle (12, 14) with a corresponding hollow conductor (22 - 32) of the other hollow conductor bundle (12, 14) such that a void (52, 54) is provided between the connecting member (16- 20) and the adjacent connecting member (16 - 20) and/or an adjacent hollow conductor (22 - 32). Further, a method for assembling a hollow conductor system (10) is described.