Pivotable Base Clamp Prevents Terminal Slippage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamps for battery poles in automotive applications tend to slip off due to strong vibrations, even after the nut and screw are tightened, requiring access to the vehicle hood to reattach them.
Innovation Solution
A vertically screwed clamp design where the screw and nut can only be tightened when the clamp is in a proper position relative to the terminal, utilizing a pivotable base body and elastic members to ensure the clamp is securely positioned before clamping, and an engagement element that moves the jaws together only when the clamp is correctly aligned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the clamp is equipped with a simple screw and nut tightening mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the clamp may slip off the battery pole during vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates a base body that can pivot between a first position (during installation) and a second position (during operation). This dynamic positioning mechanism ensures that the clamp adapts to vibration forces by maintaining optimal contact with the battery pole, thereby improving reliability without requiring overly complex fastening structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed to be preliminarily positioned on the battery pole before tightening the nut. The base body pivots to the first position during installation, allowing proper alignment and seating. Only after this preliminary positioning is achieved can the nut be tightened, ensuring the clamp is already correctly aligned before final securing, thus preventing slippage.
2Ease of operation
If the clamp allows free movement of the base body, then the ease of operation is improved for positioning, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates as proper positioning before tightening becomes difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The base body is designed to pivot dynamically between two distinct positions: a first position during installation that facilitates easy positioning and alignment, and a second position during operation that ensures precise clamping. This dynamic transition allows operators to easily position the clamp while maintaining precise alignment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical design provides inherent feedback through the pivoting mechanism. The base body naturally pivots to the correct position during installation, and the operator can feel when proper alignment is achieved. This tactile feedback ensures correct positioning without requiring complex alignment tools or procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If the clamp uses a fixed base body position, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the clamp cannot adapt to vibration and may slip off
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a fixed base body position, the invention employs a dynamic pivoting mechanism that allows the base body to transition between installation and operational positions. This dynamic design maintains precise alignment through controlled movement while enabling the clamp to adapt to vibration forces during operation, preventing slippage.
4Reliability
If the clamp requires complex positioning mechanisms, then the reliability is improved to prevent slippage, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention achieves improved reliability through a relatively simple dynamic pivoting mechanism rather than complex positioning systems. The base body pivots on a hinge between two positions, which can be manufactured using standard mechanical components. This approach enhances stability and prevents slippage while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 design significantly reduces the risk of the clamp slipping off the terminal by ensuring it is properly seated before tightening, maintaining a secure connection and preventing accidental disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
The clamp comprises elastic members interposed between the base body and the main body. The elastic members are configured to maintain the base body in the first position with an elastic load.
Data Source
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AI summary
A clamp (1) for a male terminal having features for preventing incorrect clamping, which comprises a main body (2) having a ring (21) and two jaws (24), that are movable toward each other (21) for the ring to hold the terminal. An engagement element (7) is movable in the vertical direction (Y-Y) and to act upon the jaws (24) to move them toward each other. A clamping member (8), operable to move the engagement element (7) comprises a stem (81) and a nut (85). The stem (81) is fixed to a base body (4), which is pivotable relative to the main body (2) between a first position, in which the stem (81) is inclined with respect to the vertical (Y-Y) and a second position, in which the stem (81) extends in the vertical direction (Y-Y). In the first position, the engagement element (7) prevents the nut (85) from engaging a threaded portion (83) of the stem (81). In the second position, the threaded portion (83) is adapted to be engaged by the nut (85).