Shield Conductor Clamp With Integrated Locking for Reliable Ground Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connection devices for shield conductors are complex, costly, and require multiple assembly and disassembly steps, making them inefficient for reliable and durable contact with potential collectors in electrical installations.
Innovation Solution
A connection device featuring a housing with a pivotable spring element and a locking mechanism that allows for secure clamping and locking of the shield conductor to a potential collector without the need for fastening elements, enabling easy operation and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connection devices are used, then reliable contact with potential collector is achieved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the housing, spring element, and locking element into a single integrated connection device that can be attached to the potential collector as one unit. This merging of components reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the reliable contact function through the coordinated action of the integrated elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection device is designed with multi-functionality, where the same device performs both clamping (via the spring element) and locking (via the locking element) functions simultaneously. This universal design eliminates the need for separate clamping and locking mechanisms, reducing complexity while ensuring reliable contact.
2Reliability
If conventional connection devices are used, then secure clamping is achieved, but number of assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-configured within the housing to automatically engage and clamp the electrical line when the connection device is attached to the potential collector. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for separate clamping operations, reducing assembly steps while ensuring secure clamping.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection device performs self-clamping through the spring element's automatic engagement mechanism. When the housing is attached to the potential collector, the spring element automatically clamps the electrical line without requiring additional manual intervention, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining clamping security.
3Reliability
If conventional connection devices are used, then durable contact is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the housing, spring element, and locking element into a single manufacturable unit, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be produced and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces production costs while maintaining durable contact through the coordinated function of the integrated elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional design allows a single connection device to perform clamping, locking, and potential collector attachment functions. This universality reduces the total number of components required, simplifying manufacturing and reducing production costs while ensuring durable contact through the integrated functionality.
4Reliability
If multiple fastening elements are used, then secure attachment to potential collector is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the locking element directly into the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements. This merging reduces the number of components while maintaining secure attachment through the integrated locking mechanism that engages with the potential collector.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the structural enclosure and as the attachment mechanism to the potential collector. The integrated locking element provides attachment security without requiring additional fastening components, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable attachment.
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 provides a simple, cost-effective, and reliable method for maintaining a secure contact between the shield conductor and potential collector, ensuring durability and ease of operation while reducing assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element, which is arranged adjustably on the housing, which spring element has a clamping leg and is movable relative to the housing from an open position into a clamping position in order to, in the clamping position, act with the clamping leg on the shield conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A connection device for a shield conductor of an electrical line includes: a housing attachable to a potential collector, into which housing the electrical line with the shield conductor is insertable; a spring element which is arranged adjustably on the housing, which spring element has a clamping leg and is movable relative to the housing from an open position into a clamping position in order to, in the clamping position, act with the clamping leg on the shield conductor of the electrical line inserted in the housing; and a locking element which is adjustable, relative to the housing, between a locking position, in which the housing attached to the potential collector is locked with the potential collector, and an unlocking position for releasing the housing from the potential collector.