Insulation-Piercing Battery Connector for Industrial Cables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Connecting electrical accessories to industrial batteries is challenging due to the need for tools and the corrosive environment, which can damage cables and compromise connections.

Innovation Solution

A flexible connector with a housing, conductive pin, and fuse, made from materials like thermoplastic elastomer, that pierces through the cable insulation to create a sealed and sturdy connection, suitable for various cable sizes and profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional bolted connectors are used to connect electrical accessories to industrial batteries, then the connection can be secure and reliable, but the connection process requires tools and is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connectionVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the connection function from traditional bolted connectors by using a piercing pin that directly penetrates the cable insulation to contact the conductor, eliminating the need for tool-based fastening and significantly reducing connection time while maintaining electrical reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector is segmented into distinct functional components: a piercing pin for cable penetration, a housing for protection, and a sealing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the piercing pin enabling quick connection without requiring full connector assembly tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If accessories are connected to industrial batteries, then monitoring or control functions are enabled, but the corrosive environment can damage the cable and compromise the connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidcorrosive damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing incorporates a flexible membrane or thin film sealing structure that conforms to the cable surface, creating a protective barrier against corrosive chemicals while allowing the piercing pin to maintain electrical contact. This sealing layer prevents corrosive agents from reaching the cable and connection points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The piercing pin acts as an intermediary element that creates a sealed pathway through the cable insulation, allowing electrical contact while the housing and sealing structures serve as intermediary protective layers between the connection point and the corrosive external environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the cable insulation is pierced to create a connection, then quick connection is achieved, but the cable may be damaged and the connection compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection speedVSAvoidcable integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing and sealing structures are designed beforehand to cushion and protect the cable around the piercing point, distributing mechanical stress and preventing further damage to the cable insulation and conductor while maintaining the electrical connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The connector provides a reliable, sealed, and durable connection to industrial battery cables, protecting against corrosive environments and ensuring stable electrical conductivity without damaging the cables.

Implementation Method 1

at least the cable mating surface of the housing is suitably flexible to conform to the contours of an electrical cable insulation surface when the pin pierces through the insulation surface of the electrical cable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2874235B1Insulation -piercing battery connector
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 PHILADELPHIA SCI UK
  • EP2874235B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2874235B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2874235B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a flexible connector for attaching electrical accessories to an industrial battery electrical cable. The connector includes a housing and an electrically conductive pin that is positioned within the housing and protrudes through a cable mating surface of the housing. The connector also includes a fuse positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the portion of the pin within the housing, and a conductive wire, wherein at least a portion of the wire is positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the fuse. At least the cable mating surface of the housing is suitably flexible to conform to the contours of an electrical cable insulation surface when the pin pierces through the insulation surface of the electrical cable to which the connector is attached.