Mid-span Drop Cable Clamp with Biased Pressure Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mounting drop cables securely to mid-span locations of distribution cables is challenging due to the rigidity and elevated nature of the cables, requiring improvements in branching and securing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A mid-span clamp with an elongate base, pressure blocks, and control arms that can transition between open and closed positions, allowing for secure mounting of drop cables to distribution cables at a 90-degree angle, featuring a biased closure mechanism for stability and adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mounting methods are used for drop cables on mid-span distribution cables, then the cables can be mounted at elevated locations, but the rigidity of both cables and the elevated nature make secure mounting difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into multiple segments including a base, first pressure block, second pressure block, first control arm, and second control arm. These segmented components work together to grip the distribution cable from multiple directions, providing secure mounting while allowing the clamp to be opened and closed for easy installation and repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp incorporates movable control arms that can rotate about pivot points, allowing the pressure blocks to move between open and closed positions. This dynamic mechanism enables easy installation by opening the clamp, securing it around the cable, and then closing it for secure mounting, while also allowing repositioning by reopening and moving the clamp along the cable span.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the clamp uses a biased closed position mechanism, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp uses a biasing mechanism (spring or elastic element) that automatically maintains the clamp in a closed position, applying continuous gripping force on the distribution cable. This self-service mechanism provides stable mounting without requiring active control or additional fastening operations, and the biasing element is integrated into the existing control arm structure rather than adding separate complex systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A mid-span clamp includes an elongate base that defines a cable channel on a top side. The clamp includes a first pressure block connected to the base by a first control arm. The first pressure block includes a clamping surface and a top surface. The top surface includes a cleat. The clamp includes a second pressure block connected to the base by a second control arm. The second pressure block also includes a clamping surface and a top surface. The top surface includes a cleat. The clamp has an open position and a closed position. In the open position, a cable passageway is defined between the clamping surfaces of the first and second pressure blocks and the cable channel of the base. In the closed position, the clamping surfaces of the first and second pressure blocks close the cable passageway. The clamp is biased in the closed position.