Integral Shielding Connector for Power Cable Earthing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shielding connectors for power cables require additional braids or leads for earthing connections, which complicates installation and increases costs, while also lacking a robust and watertight sealing mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A shielding connector with a clamping element and integral strips that can be bent to form a close contact with the power cable, eliminating the need for separate braids or leads, and featuring a sealing portion for watertight sealing, along with a connection portion for earthing, all produced through cost-efficient stamping and bending of metallic sheets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate braids or leads are used for earthing connections, then electrical connection to shielding is achieved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the clamping element and earthing strips into a single integral connector body made from one piece of conductive material. This eliminates the need for separate braids or leads, reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable electrical connection to the cable shielding through the integrated clamping and conductive paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding connector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical clamping onto the cable shielding, establishes electrical contact through the clamping element, and creates earthing connections through the integrated strips. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate components are used for shielding connection, then electrical connection is established, but ease of manufacture and cost efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidconnector manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is manufactured as a single integral piece from one sheet of conductive material using stamping and bending processes. This eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble multiple separate components, significantly improving ease of manufacture and reducing production costs while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The manufacturing process transforms a flat sheet of conductive material into a three-dimensional connector with specific geometric parameters through stamping and bending. This allows complex integral structures to be created from simple starting materials, improving manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If clamping element is bent around bending axis, then contact area with cable increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping contact areaVSAvoidbend radius precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bend radius of the clamping element is specifically designed and adjusted to match the diameter of the power cable. This parameter matching ensures optimal contact area while the integral manufacturing process from a single sheet provides sufficient precision control for the bending operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2894728B1Shielding connector and method and tool for installing a shielding connector
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 TYCO ELECTRONICS RAYCHEM GMBH
  • EP2894728B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2894728B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2894728B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A shielding connector (100, 200, 300) for contacting a shielding (273) of a power cable (270),the shielding connector (100, 200, 300) comprising a clamping element (110, 210, 310) and a plurality of strips (130, 230, 330) extending from the clamping element (110, 210, 310), wherein the clamping element (110, 210, 310) and the strips (130, 230, 330) are formed integrally.