Load Connecting Block with Removable Cage Yoke for Cable Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamp structures for connecting cables to connecting rails are inefficient for large cable cross-sections, difficult to assemble, prone to axial misalignment, and can lead to high-impedance contacts and discharge sparks due to design limitations.

Innovation Solution

A clamp structure with a removable cage yoke and a threaded pin mechanism allows easy cable insertion from above, prevents axial displacement, and includes a clamping piece that divides the cage into a connection space and a cable space, ensuring secure cable and rail connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the clamping cage is closed with a fixed cage yoke, then the clamping structure is stable and secure, but it becomes difficult to insert cables with large cross-sections and requires complex bending operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cable insertionVSAvoidclamping structure design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cage yoke is made separable from the cage bracket, dividing the previously closed clamping cage into an open assembly state. This allows the cable to be inserted from above through the opening created by removing the cage yoke, eliminating the need for complex bending operations while maintaining structural integrity during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cage yoke is designed to be removable and reattachable, transforming the clamping cage from a static closed structure to a dynamic openable structure. This enables easy cable insertion by temporarily opening the cage, then restoring the closed secure state after cable insertion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the clamping structure allows axial shifting during assembly, then it provides flexibility in positioning, but it leads to axial misalignment and high-impedance contacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded pin mechanism replaces simple friction-based or loose mechanical positioning with a precise threaded fastening system. The threaded pin engages with corresponding threads in the cage bracket and cage yoke, providing exact axial positioning and preventing any axial shifting or misalignment during assembly and operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded connection changes the positioning parameter from approximate/variable axial position to precise/fixed axial position. The thread pitch and engagement depth define the exact axial location of the cage yoke relative to the cage bracket, eliminating axial play while maintaining assembly flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the pressure piece is not connected to the pressure bolt, then the clamping structure is simpler to manufacture, but the pressure piece cannot be detached easily during disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure piece is merged with the pressure bolt through a threaded connection, creating a single integrated clamping assembly. This allows the pressure piece to be easily detached during disassembly by simply unscrewing the pressure bolt, while maintaining a simple manufactured structure during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2242146B1Load connecting block or separator with clamp structure
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 EFEN
  • EP2242146B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2242146B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2242146B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The structure has a U-shaped cage bracket with a base section (4) connecting a leg section (2) and another leg section. A cage cell is formed between a cage yoke (5) and the cage bracket. A clamping piece (6) is arranged between the leg sections in the cage cell. A clamping plate (10) is arranged within the cage cell between the cage yoke and the clamping piece. The clamping plate is movable back and forth between an open position and a clamping position, where the cage yoke is removable from the cage bracket. The cage bracket is designed as a stamped flexural part. An independent claim is also included for a load switch block or a separator comprising a sliding insert.