Insulation-Piercing Connector With Protected Secondary Cable Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for electrical cables often require complex procedures and may not effectively concentrate clamping force, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to secondary cables.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring two movable jaws with sub-jaws and spring elements, allowing for simplified operation and focused clamping force on the main cable, while ensuring secure connection of secondary cables without applying force directly to them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tightening force is applied to connect secondary cables, then electrical connection is achieved, but secondary cables may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the main cable insulation layer) between the tightening force and the secondary cables. The piercing teeth penetrate only the insulation layer to contact the conductor, while the secondary cables are held in a protective recess without direct force application. This intermediary approach allows electrical connection while preventing damage to the secondary cables.
2Productivity
If clamping force is concentrated on main cable insulation, then piercing efficiency is improved, but connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional components: jaws for holding the main cable, piercing teeth for penetrating insulation, and a protective recess for holding secondary cables. This segmentation allows the clamping force to be concentrated on the insulation layer through the teeth while the secondary cables remain protected, achieving both piercing efficiency and structural clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the connector have specialized local properties: the piercing teeth are made of hard material for penetrating insulation, the recess is designed with specific geometry to hold secondary cables without force, and the jaws provide overall clamping. This local quality optimization enables focused force application where needed while protecting vulnerable components elsewhere.
3Ease of operation
If simplified connection procedure is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but connection reliability may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is pre-configured with piercing teeth positioned to penetrate the insulation layer and contact the conductor, and a recess pre-formed to receive and hold secondary cables. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the connector is assembled, the electrical connection is automatically established through the pre-positioned teeth, maintaining reliability while simplifying the connection procedure to a single clamping action.
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
The connector simplifies the connection process, ensures reliable electrical continuity, and protects secondary cables from damage by applying the tightening force directly to the main cable's insulation.
Implementation Method 1
for each sub-jaw, a spring element arranged so as to exert a force against the sub-jaw at a support zone of the sub-jaw
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connector (100) comprising two jaws (102a-b), each comprising a channel (104a-b) receiving a main electrical cable and which are movable between a spaced position and a clamped position, clamping means (106) holding the jaws (102a-b) in the clamped position, at least one passage (108) intended for the introduction of a secondary electrical cable, for each jaw (102a-b), a sub-jaw with teeth arranged at the channel (104a-b), and for each sub-jaw, a spring element exerting a force against the sub-jaw at a bearing area, where each passage (108) opens at the bearing area and the spring element so as to allow the insertion of the secondary electrical cable (50) between the bearing area and the spring element.