Remote-Positioned Clamping Collar for Overhead Post Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for attaching clamping collars to overhead network posts are cumbersome, hazardous, and costly, particularly in hard-to-access areas, as they often require ladders, manlifts, or significant equipment and logistics.
Innovation Solution
A clamping collar system with positioning and clamping means that allows remote handling using positioning and clamping tools, enabling attachment from the ground without the need for elevated access, featuring adjustable cardan joints and ratchet mechanisms for secure fitting around posts of varying diameters and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional clamping collar installation methods are used (ladders, manlifts), then operators can access the upper part of the post, but the operation becomes hazardous, costly, and logistically complex
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning tool acts as an intermediary device between the operator on the ground and the clamping collar at height. The positioning tool includes a positioning means that connects to the collar and enables remote positioning and attachment operations without requiring the operator to physically access elevated areas, thereby eliminating safety hazards associated with ladder and manlift usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical elevation (ladders, manlifts) with a remote manipulation system. The clamping collar is equipped with positioning means and clamping means that can be actuated remotely through the positioning tool, substituting direct mechanical access with indirect remote control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If wooden posts are replaced with metal bearings to support ladders, then ladder access becomes possible, but the operation becomes burdensome and requires significant equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning tool serves as an intermediary that eliminates the need for structural modifications to posts. Instead of replacing wooden posts with metal bearings to support ladders, the positioning tool enables ground-based operation, avoiding the complexity of post replacement, transportation, assembly, and disposal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the elevation function from the post structure itself. Rather than modifying the post to support elevation equipment, the solution removes the need for physical elevation by enabling remote operation from the ground, thereby eliminating the entire category of elevation equipment requirements.
3Productivity
If manual positioning and clamping operations are performed at height, then the collar can be installed, but the operation requires significant physical effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes manual mechanical operations performed at height with a remote actuation system. The clamping means is designed to be actuated through the positioning tool from the ground, replacing the mechanically demanding tasks of lifting, positioning, and tightening at elevation with remote mechanical advantage systems that reduce physical effort while maintaining installation speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping collar for keeping at least one network element on a post is described, the collar being intended to clasp the post. The collar comprises clamping means capable of tightening the collar and configured to be actuated by means of a clamping tool, holding means for holding the at least one network element on the post, and positioning means for positioning the collar, the positioning means being capable of connecting the collar to a positioning tool, so as to be able to position the collar by means of the positioning tool.