Live Element Coupling Device with Automatic Jaw Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for live-line working require manual effort to open and close jaws, posing safety risks and complicating operations, especially at high or ultra-high voltage levels, where equipotential conditions must be maintained to prevent electrical contact.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with jaws that automatically open when a live element is pulled with a force exceeding a threshold, allowing for easy clamping and removal without manual lever operation, and featuring lead out portions that converge to facilitate safe and efficient insertion and extraction of the live element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual action is required to pivot jaws open for insertion/removal of live element, then jaw control precision is improved, but operator safety deteriorates and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The live element itself serves to open the jaws when pulled during installation or removal. The element's extraction force automatically pivots the jaw from closed to open configuration, eliminating the need for manual jaw manipulation and reducing operator exposure to electrical hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manually opening the jaw to remove the element, the element's removal action itself opens the jaw. The normal operation is inverted: the element's extraction force is utilized to perform the jaw-opening function, rather than requiring separate manual jaw actuation.
2Ease of operation
If excessive pull force is applied to remove live element, then element extraction is achieved, but device damage or element damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw's mechanical parameters are changed through its configuration with the live element, creating a controlled force threshold. The jaw remains closed under normal operational forces but automatically opens when the pull force exceeds a specific threshold, allowing element removal while protecting against excessive force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw's structural configuration provides beforehand cushioning by being designed to withstand normal operational forces while having a predetermined failure point or threshold that allows safe opening. This prevents accidental opening under normal conditions while enabling controlled opening during element removal.
3Reliability
If jaws are kept closed to maintain equipotential conditions, then electrical safety is improved, but element insertion/removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw configuration transitions from a static closed state to a dynamic state where it can automatically open when needed. The live element's extraction force dynamically changes the jaw's state from closed (for safety) to open (for removal), allowing both equipotential maintenance and easy element manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the live element itself to trigger the jaw opening mechanism during removal. The element's extraction action automatically performs the jaw-opening function, eliminating the need for separate manual operations that would compromise equipotential conditions.
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
Enables safer and simpler operation by eliminating the need for manual jaw operation, ensuring reliable equipotential conditions and reducing the risk of electrical contact during high or ultra-high voltage work.
Implementation Method 1
a) an elastic member configured to move the jaws from the closed configuration to the open configuration
Implementation Method 2
The lead out portions are shaped to cause the contact portions to move apart from each other, thereby opening the jaws, when a live element in the inner area between the jaws is pulled against the lead out portions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
There is disclosed a coupling device (1) for operations on live elements (200) to attain equipotential conditions. The device (1) comprises two conductive jaws (3, 4) connected to a preferably nonconductive handle (2). The jaws (3, 4) are adapted to be switched between a closed configuration, in which they are in mutual contact and surround an area adapted to receive a live element (200), and an open configuration in which the contact portions (32, 42) of the two jaws (3, 4) are spaced apart from each other. The two jaws (3, 4) have respective entry tapering portions (36, 46) adjacent to the contact portions (32, 42) and mutually converging to cause the contact portions (32, 42) to move apart from each other when the live element (200) is pressed against the entry tapering portions (36, 46), thereby causing the jaws (3, 4) to switch from the closed configuration to the open configuration against the action of an elastic member (7). The two jaws (3, 4) have respective exit tapering portions (35, 45) adjacent to the contact portions (32, 42) and mutually converging to cause the contact portions (32, 42) to move apart from each other when the live element (200) is pressed against the exit tapering portions (35, 45), thereby causing the jaws (3, 4) to switch from the closed configuration to the open configuration against the action of an elastic member (7).