Stackable Electric Fence Insulators With Latching Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric fence insulators are packaged in bulk bags, leading to bulky and inefficient storage, shipping, and installation, as they are randomly arranged and require individual counting during use.

Innovation Solution

The development of electric fence insulators with a latching structure on both upper and lower surfaces that allow them to nest and connect securely, forming a compact unit for easy handling and packaging, utilizing snap-fit and friction-fit mechanisms for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If insulators are packaged in bulk bags, then packaging is simple, but storage space and shipping volume increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging simplicityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The insulators are designed with nesting features that allow them to be stacked one inside another or tightly against each other, forming a compact unit. The body of each insulator includes a recess that receives the body of an adjacent insulator, creating a nested arrangement that dramatically reduces the volume occupied by the packaged insulators compared to bulk bag packaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If insulators are randomly arranged in bulk bags, then packaging is easy, but organization and counting become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging easeVSAvoidorganization and counting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple insulators are merged into a single organized unit through the nesting connection. The latching structures and recesses cause adjacent insulators to connect and remain fixed relative to one another, forming an organized assembly that is easy to handle, count, and install, eliminating the random arrangement problem of bulk bags.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If insulators are individually handled during installation, then installation flexibility is maintained, but installation time and labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulators are segmented into organized units or sets within the packaging, where multiple insulators are pre-connected through nesting. This allows the installer to work with small organized groups rather than random bulk, maintaining flexibility while reducing the time and effort required to locate, count, and handle individual insulators during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9934890B1Stackable electric fence wire insulators

Publication Date: 2018.04.03 WOODSTREAM CORP

AI summary

A nestable and stackable electric fence insulator is provided having a latching structure by which a plurality of insulators of like construction are oriented, at least partially nested and connected to one another in a secure, space-efficient and organized manner. A plurality of like electric fence insulators, each including a body having a mounting end and an electric fence wire engaging end and including at least one latching structure on an upper surface and at least one latching structure on a lower surface, may be stacked one on top of another in a connected and nested relationship. An electric fence insulator package is also provided that includes multiple electric fence insulators secured to one another in a stacked arrangement by a latching structure formed on each insulator, and a packaging surrounding and containing the stacked arrangement of insulators.