Insulating Cover Locking Member for Remote High-Voltage Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage electrical connectors require insulating covers that can be easily locked in place without requiring operators to be close to the high voltage components, ensuring safety during inclement weather conditions and preventing accidental opening or closing.
Innovation Solution
The development of locking members with a high pitch threading and a shaft design featuring a tip, grip, and holding portion, along with a spiral flange, which securely locks the insulating cover onto high voltage electrical connectors, utilizing a tool mounting member for easy installation and preventing tampering or accidental removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking member is designed to securely lock the insulating cover, then the reliability of the cover locking is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like high pitch threading, spiral flange, and shaft mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member integrates multiple functional components within a single unified structure. The shaft contains the spiral flange, which in turn contains the high pitch threading, creating a nested configuration where the tip portion, grip portion, and holding portion are all part of one continuous element. This nesting approach achieves reliable locking through integrated geometry rather than separate assembled parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral flange employs helical curvature to transform rotational motion into linear locking action. The curved, spiral geometry of the flange engages with the cover to create a self-locking mechanism that resists accidental opening while requiring controlled rotation for intentional operation. This curved geometry provides the locking force through mechanical advantage.
2Ease of operation
If the locking member requires tool mounting for operation, then the ease of operation is improved by allowing remote operation, but the device complexity increases due to the added tool mounting member
Solution Approach 1:
The tool mounting member serves as an intermediary interface between the operator's tool and the locking member's shaft. This mounting feature, such as a slot or opening, allows a tool to engage and transmit rotational force to the shaft without requiring the operator to be in close proximity to the electrical connector. The intermediary mechanism enables safe remote operation while maintaining simple integration with the locking member structure.
3Reliability
If the high pitch threading is designed to prevent accidental opening, then the reliability of the locking mechanism is improved, but the ease of operation worsens as more force is required to operate the locking member
Solution Approach 1:
The high pitch threading creates an asymmetric mechanical relationship where rotation in one direction (tightening/locking) requires significant force to overcome the thread engagement, while rotation in the opposite direction (loosening/unlocking) is controlled through the tool-mounted shaft. The dynamic interaction between the threaded grip portion and the cover creates a self-reinforcing locking state that resists accidental disturbance but allows intentional operation with proper tool application.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking member particularly adapted to lock a cover onto an electrical connector which connects an electrical transmission conductor to a distribution conductor is provided. The locking member includes a tip portion, a gripping portion, a holding portion, and a head portion, where the tip portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the gripping portion and where the head portion is a widest portion of the locking member. The present disclosure is also directed insulating cover assemblies that include an insulating cover and a locking member contemplated by the present disclosure.