Plier Connector Bracket Assembly for Secure Clip-Free Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional plier-type connecting devices in low and medium voltage electrical systems face challenges in easy installation, reliability, and maintenance, particularly due to difficult handling of connecting clips and high likelihood of disengagement during maintenance interventions.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with an elastic bracket element that secures the plier assembly to the support body without screws, using a C-shaped or S-shaped bracket with lateral legs connected via pins, ensuring mechanical force is applied to maintain the assembly's position, and spring elements to keep contact fingers against the stationary conductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple connecting clips are used to secure the plier assembly to the support body, then the plier assembly can be secured to the support body, but the clips are difficult to handle manually and require time-consuming installation with positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket element is divided into an intermediate portion and a pair of lateral legs, allowing the plier assembly to be secured at multiple points simultaneously. This segmentation enables reliable securing while maintaining ease of installation, as the divided structure can be easily manipulated and positioned compared to a single complex clip.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using rigid connecting clips that require precise positioning, the invention uses an elastic bracket element that can deform during installation. This inversion from rigid to flexible approach allows the bracket to adapt to positioning variations while still providing secure attachment, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning.
2Reliability
If connecting clips are used to secure the plier assembly, then the plier assembly can be attached to the support body, but the clips often disengage during extraction manoeuvres requiring complex maintenance interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces rigid connecting clips with an elastic bracket element that uses flexibility to its advantage. The elastic deformation capability allows the bracket to maintain continuous contact and engagement during extraction movements, preventing disengagement and eliminating complex maintenance needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket element's elastic properties allow it to change its physical state (deform) in response to operational stresses during extraction. This parameter change enables the bracket to absorb movement variations and maintain secure attachment, preventing the disengagement issues that plague rigid clip systems.
3Reliability
If screws are used to fix the plier assembly to the support body, then the plier assembly can be securely fixed, but substitution during maintenance becomes difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket element is designed as a segmented structure with an intermediate portion and lateral legs, allowing it to be easily attached and detached without requiring screw fastening. This segmentation enables maintenance personnel to quickly remove and replace the plier assembly by simply manipulating the bracket legs, dramatically reducing maintenance time while maintaining secure attachment during operation.
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 solution facilitates easy installation, reduces positioning errors, and enhances reliability by preventing disengagement, allowing for hundreds of operations without issues and simplifying maintenance, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
Said bracket element is elastically deformed upon the mechanical connection to said support body and it thus exerts, on said plier assembly, a mechanical force directed in such a way to urge said plier assembly against said support body.
Implementation Method 2
said plier assembly further comprises a plurality of spring elements arranged perpendicularly to said second axis and mechanically connecting opposite pairs of contact fingers in such a way to urge said contact fingers against said stationary conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
Connecting device for connecting electrically and mechanically a movable conductive terminal of a first electrical system to a stationary conductor of a second electrical system. The connecting device comprises: - a conductive support body configured to be fixed to said movable conductive terminal; - a plier assembly mounted on said support body and defining a coupling cavity configured to receive said stationary conductor; - an elastic bracket element configured to secure said plier assembly to said support body. Said bracket element is arranged in said clamping cavity and it has lateral legs sticking out of said camping cavity and mechanically connected to said support body.