Pivotable Electrical Cable Connector with Piercing Conductors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical cable connectors for landscape lighting systems are cumbersome to connect or disconnect and are labor and material intensive to manufacture, making them inconvenient for use.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable electrical cable connector with a body composed of two members connected by a resiliently deformable intermediate part, featuring conductors with sharp tips for piercing insulation and a locking mechanism for secure closure, allowing for easy and tool-free connection of cables of varying thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cable connectors are used to connect or disconnect cables, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a resilient body that can deform elastically to accommodate cables of different sizes and automatically return to its original shape to maintain secure contact. This dynamic flexibility allows the connector to adapt to varying cable dimensions while ensuring reliable electrical connection, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design allows the resilient body to automatically perform the connection function through its elastic deformation and recovery. When a cable is inserted, the resilient body deforms to accommodate it and then automatically returns to its original shape, creating secure contact without requiring additional fastening operations. This self-service mechanism simplifies the connection process while maintaining connection reliability.
2Reliability
If traditional cable connectors are used, then secure cable connection is achieved, but manufacturing becomes material and labour intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional components: a resilient body for accommodation and contact, and a locking mechanism for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring that the overall connection security requirement is met through the coordinated action of these specialized parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient body's elastic properties allow it to change its physical parameters (shape, volume) dynamically to accommodate different cable sizes. This parameter change capability is achieved through material selection and structural design rather than complex manufacturing processes, enabling the connector to adapt to various cable dimensions without requiring multiple specialized components or complex assembly procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-structure connector is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different cable sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a resilient body that can deform elastically to accommodate cables of different sizes and automatically return to its original shape to maintain secure contact. This dynamic flexibility allows the connector to adapt to varying cable dimensions while ensuring reliable electrical connection, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient body's elastic properties allow it to change its physical parameters (shape, volume) dynamically to accommodate different cable sizes. This parameter change capability is achieved through material selection and structural design rather than complex manufacturing processes, enabling the connector to adapt to various cable dimensions without requiring multiple specialized components or complex assembly procedures.
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, is adaptable to different cable sizes, and reduces manufacturing complexity, making it more efficient and user-friendly for landscape lighting applications.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second body members are integral parts and are integrally connected together by means of a resiliently deformable intermediate part
Implementation Method 2
the ends of the first and second conductors simultaneously cutting through insulation and coming into electrical connection
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical cable connector has a body having first and second body members that are movable between open and closed positions of the body, and first and second conductors supported by the first and second body members, respectively. The two conductors have respective ends protruding from the respective body members. When the body members are moved to the closed position of the body, the ends of the conductors simultaneously cut through insulation and come into electrical connection with two cores of a first cable. A connecting element electrically connects the conductors to respective cores of a second electrical cable.