Rotatable Insulating Cap for Jacket Clamp Top Part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting devices for electrical conductors require accurate multiple placements for joining the upper and lower parts, leading to potential loss of the upper part and increased complexity in connection processes, especially when space constraints necessitate filling from above.

Innovation Solution

A connecting device featuring a sheath clamp with a removable insulating cap that is captively connected to a contact carrier, allowing the upper part to be rotatably received, thereby preventing loss and simplifying the insertion of electrical conductors from above, with optional features like a swivel arm, flexible sections, and a metallic contact bridge for improved contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the upper part of the jacket clamp is made removable for easy insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the upper part can be lost or misplaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insertionVSAvoidretention of upper part
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating cap serves as a container that receives and stores the upper part of the jacket clamp when not in use. The upper part is nested within the insulating cap, ensuring it remains attached to the connection device and cannot be lost or misplaced while still allowing easy removal when needed for conductor insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple placements are required for accurate joining of upper and lower parts, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining accuracyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating cap acts as an intermediary component that holds the upper part of the jacket clamp in a defined position. This intermediary structure provides guide elements that align the upper part with the lower part during assembly, ensuring accurate joining in a single placement operation without requiring multiple adjustment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal point is filled from above due to space constraints, then the adaptability is improved, but the risk of losing the upper part increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidretention of upper part
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating cap provides a storage compartment that receives the upper part of the jacket clamp after it has been removed for top-down conductor insertion. This nesting arrangement ensures that even when installing in constrained spaces where top-down insertion is necessary, the upper part remains securely stored and cannot be lost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3066719B1Connection device for connecting electrical conductors
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3066719B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3066719B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3066719B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a connection device (100) for connecting electrical conductors, comprising a sheath clamp (105) with a bottom part (105-1) and a top part (105-2), comprising a contact carrier (103) in which the bottom part (105-1) of the sheath clamp is attached; and a detachable insulating cap (107) that is permanently connected to the contact carrier (103) for rotatably receiving the top part (105-2) of the sheath clamp.