Pivoting Grounding Cross Connector for Perpendicular Conductors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current grounding connectors require the removal and reinsertion of fasteners to clamp perpendicular conductors, making the installation process cumbersome and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A grounding cross connector design featuring upper and lower clamping pads with perpendicular grooves and threaded fasteners that allow the upper clamping pad to pivot, enabling installation without disassembling components, with the fasteners compressing the pads to secure the conductors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If current grounding connectors are used to clamp perpendicular conductors, then the conductors can be securely connected, but the installation process requires removal and reinsertion of fasteners making it time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The upper clamping pad is made movable relative to the lower clamping pad through a pivoting mechanism. The upper clamping pad can pivot about the second threaded fastener to open and close, allowing conductors to be inserted without removing fasteners. This dynamic design transforms a static connector into an adjustable device that facilitates easier and faster installation while maintaining secure clamping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The grounding connector is divided into separate clamping pads (upper and lower) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the upper pad to pivot open for conductor insertion and then close for clamping, eliminating the need to remove fasteners while maintaining the integrity of the overall connector structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the upper clamping pad is made movable to facilitate installation, then installation becomes easier and faster, but the connector structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivoting mechanism is integrated into the existing fastener structure. The second threaded fastener serves dual purposes: it acts as both a clamping fastener and a pivot hinge. This merging of functions adds minimal structural complexity while enabling the upper clamping pad to move for easier conductor installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If perpendicular grooves are added to clamping pads to accommodate conductors, then conductor positioning is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconductor positioning precisionVSAvoidclamping pad manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Perpendicular grooves are added only to the specific regions of the clamping pads where conductor contact is needed. These grooves provide precise positioning for the conductors while leaving the rest of the clamping pad structure simple and easy to manufacture. The grooves are localized features that enhance functionality without requiring complex manufacturing processes for the entire component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Facilitates faster and more efficient installation of grounding conductors by allowing the connector to be installed without removing any components, ensuring secure clamping of conductors with adjustable grooves and serrations for various sizes.

Implementation Method 1

first and second threaded fasteners configured to compress the upper clamping pad and the lower clamping pad against the set of grounding conductors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

upper clamping pad being configured to pivot about the second threaded fastener to engage the first fastener

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS11251547B2Grounding cross connectors including clamping pads for coupling at least two conductors

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 PANDUIT CORP

AI summary

Various implementations of grounding cross connectors are disclosed. The grounding cross connectors may be used to clamp together two or more, often perpendicular, conductors. In some implementations, a grounding cross connector includes an upper clamping pad and a lower clamping pad held together by a pair of threaded fasteners. A pair of perpendicular conductors may be placed in between the clamping pads and secured together by torqueing nuts on the threaded fasteners. The upper clamping pad may include a hook through which one of the threaded fasteners may pass, thereby allowing the upper clamping to rotate relative to the lower clamping pad.