Movable Clamp Ammeter for Multiple-Wire Measurement in Tight Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamp ammeters face challenges in achieving high workability in confined spaces, particularly when measuring currents in complex electrical systems like distribution switchboards, due to their design limitations that hinder efficient arrangement and accurate measurement of multiple wires.
Innovation Solution
A clamp ammeter with a movable clamp that transitions between a slim loop and non-loop shape, allowing for a right-angle orientation and rotatable movable portions, enabling easy passage of multiple wires through a compact design, and a trigger mechanism for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the clamp is designed with a fixed structure, then the manufacturing is simple, but the adaptability to confined spaces and multiple wire arrangements is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates a movable portion that can rotate relative to the base, transitioning between a closed state for measuring single wires and an open state for accommodating multiple wires. This dynamic structure enables the clamp to adapt to different measurement scenarios in confined spaces without requiring multiple separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is divided into a base portion and a movable portion that can independently rotate. This segmentation allows the clamp to change its configuration from a fixed circular shape to an open state, providing versatility in accommodating different wire arrangements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the clamp has a large opening width, then multiple wires can be accommodated easily, but the device cannot fit in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp's movable portion rotates to transition between a closed circular configuration for single-wire measurement and an open state for multi-wire measurement. When not in use or for single-wire measurements, the clamp returns to its compact circular form, ensuring it fits in confined spaces while still providing capacity for multiple wires when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the clamp uses a simple fixed structure, then the operation is straightforward, but the ease of measuring multiple wires in confined spaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable portion is designed to rotate smoothly with minimal effort, allowing operators to easily transition between measuring single wires and multiple wires. The rotation mechanism is simple enough to be manually operated without complex controls, maintaining ease of operation while enabling versatile measurement capabilities.
4Ease of operation
If the clamp is designed with a right-angle orientation, then the workability in confined spaces is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp's movable portion is designed to rotate to a right angle position relative to the base, creating a compact configuration that fits in confined spaces. The rotation mechanism allows for easy adjustment to this optimal angle without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, as the rotational freedom compensates for minor variations in the fixed angle.
Data Source
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AI summary
The clamp ammeter includes a clamp and a slim grip. The clamp has a base and a movable portion which is movable relative to the base. The clamp operates, by the movement of the movable portion, between a closed state and an open state. In front view, a longitudinal direction of the clamp in the closed state forms an angle of more than 45° and equal to or less than a right angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the grip. The base extends from the grip to a distal end portion of the clamp in a lateral direction of the clamp in the closed state. The movable portion extends from the grip to the distal end portion of the clamp, and makes the clamp from the closed state to the open state by the movement to a proximal side.