Looped Fastening Element for Conductor Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing method of attaching a conductor to a transformer housing using screws or threaded pins requires a long path and significant force, making the process time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially when securing multiple transformer housings.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a flexible, loop-shaped fastening element made of plastic that is routed around the conductor, with adjustable end sections and latch mechanisms, allowing for easy and quick attachment by looping around the conductor's surface and adjusting to various dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screws or threaded pins are used to attach the conductor to the transformer housing, then a secure connection is achieved, but the installation process requires significant force and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element is divided into a head section and an elongated rod section, allowing the head to be inserted through the retaining element while the rod loops around the conductor. This segmentation enables a two-stage fastening process that reduces installation time while maintaining connection security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of rotating fasteners into the conductor as in traditional screw fastening, the fastening element is inserted through the retaining element first and then looped around the conductor. This inverted sequence eliminates the need for rotational force and significantly reduces installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If screws or threaded pins are used to attach the conductor, then a secure connection is achieved, but the installation process requires significant force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidinstallation force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening process inverts the traditional sequence: the head section is inserted through the retaining element first, then the elongated rod is looped around the conductor. This eliminates the need for rotational force required by screws, reducing installation force to minimal manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The elongated rod is designed with flexibility to be looped around the conductor and bent into position. This flexibility allows the fastening element to conform to the conductor without requiring excessive force, while the looped configuration maintains secure connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If traditional screw fastening is used, then the conductor is securely attached, but the process is labor-intensive especially for multiple transformer housings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidinstallation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening sequence is inverted: the head section is inserted through the retaining element first, then the elongated rod is looped around the conductor. This eliminates time-consuming rotational operations, making the process suitable for批量 installation of multiple transformer housings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The elongated rod automatically loops around the conductor and secures itself without requiring additional fastening operations. The head section inserted through the retaining element serves as both the insertion tool and the anchoring point, eliminating the need for separate fastening steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If a fixed-size fastening element is used, then the attachment process is simple, but it cannot adapt to conductors of various dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening element simplicityVSAvoidconductor size adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element transitions from a rigid linear form to a flexible looped configuration around the conductor. The elongated rod can be bent and shaped to accommodate conductors of various dimensions, providing adaptability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elongated rod is designed with flexibility to conform to different conductor sizes. This flexibility allows the same fastening element to adapt to various dimensions without requiring multiple sizes, while the looped configuration ensures secure attachment regardless of conductor size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This solution simplifies and accelerates the conductor attachment process, providing a secure and slip-proof connection regardless of the conductor's size, with reduced force and time requirements, and allows for flexible adjustment and easy handling.

Implementation Method 1

The fastening element is preferably constructed in form of an elongated rod, which is constructed with elasticity and can thereby be bent flexibly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9231317B2Looped fastening element for removably fixing a conductor to a current transformer housing

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for removably fixing a conductor (10) to a current transformer housing (12), comprising a fixing element (18) which runs through a retaining element (16) lying on the current transformer housing (12) and which sits at least partly against the surface of the conductor (10) when the conductor (10) is fixed on the current transformer housing (12). The invention is characterized in that the fixing element (18) runs around the circumferential surface of the conductor (10) in a looped manner when fixed.