Orthogonal Cable Clamp Carriage for Sensor Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamp systems for securing sensor equipment to cables in power distribution systems are inadequate, requiring improved designs for secure and efficient measurement of parameters like voltage and current.

Innovation Solution

A cable clamp system comprising a base assembly with a notch and a carriage assembly that moves along a drive axis orthogonal to the notch axis, allowing for secure engagement and disengagement of the clamp onto a cable, featuring a guide system and drive mechanism for precise positioning and torque limiting to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a clamp system is designed to securely engage cables, then the reliability of sensor equipment positioning is improved, but the complexity of the clamp mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of sensor equipment positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of clamp mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp system is divided into a base assembly and a carriage assembly that can move independently along the cable. The carriage assembly contains the sensor equipment and can be positioned separately from the base assembly, allowing for secure engagement while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A carriage assembly acts as an intermediary between the base assembly and the sensor equipment. This intermediate component allows the sensor equipment to be securely positioned on the cable while simplifying the overall mechanism by separating the positioning function from the clamping function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the clamp system allows easy engagement and disengagement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security of sensor equipment attachment may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of engagement and disengagementVSAvoidsecurity of sensor equipment attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage assembly is designed to move dynamically along the cable between an engaged position (where sensors are securely attached) and a disengaged position (for easy removal). This dynamic capability allows the system to provide both secure attachment during operation and ease of installation/removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base assembly is pre-configured with guide structures and engagement features that prepare the path for the carriage assembly. This preliminary setup ensures that when the carriage assembly is moved into position, secure engagement occurs automatically without requiring complex manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the drive mechanism provides precise positioning, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of carriage positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of drive mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive mechanism replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a simpler actuation system that moves the carriage assembly along the cable. The guide structures in the base assembly provide the precision constraints, while the drive mechanism only needs to provide motion along the predefined path, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11333684B1Clamp sensor systems and methods

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 SENSORLINK CORP

AI summary

A cable clamp system comprises a base assembly defining a base notch defining a notch axis and a carriage assembly defining a drive axis. The drive axis is substantially orthogonal to the notch axis.