Universal Ground Bar with Conductive Mounting Bracket

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ground bar assemblies often fail to accommodate various types of conductive terminations, lack conductive mounting brackets for spacing from mounting surfaces, and do not provide isolative mounting or anti-rotation features to prevent conductor block rotation.

Innovation Solution

A universal ground bar assembly featuring a conductive mounting bracket for spacing from mounting surfaces, an isolative mounting bracket for secure attachment without fasteners, and anti-rotation features to prevent conductor block rotation, utilizing conductive and non-conductive materials for versatile attachment options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a ground bar assembly uses a single mounting bracket design, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate both conductive and isolative mounting requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting bracket versatilityVSAvoidmounting bracket variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ground bar assembly is designed to accept both conductive mounting brackets and isolative mounting brackets, allowing the same ground bar to serve multiple mounting purposes. The ground bar includes features such as slots and attachment mechanisms that work with both types of brackets, making the assembly universal and adaptable to different electrical grounding requirements without needing separate ground bar designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If conductor blocks are attached without anti-rotation features, then attachment is simple, but the conductor blocks can rotate during attachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconductor block attachmentVSAvoidconductor block orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor blocks include asymmetric features such as ledges or protrusions that correspond to asymmetric slots or recesses in the ground bar. This asymmetric geometry prevents rotation by ensuring that the conductor block can only be inserted in one specific orientation, while still allowing for simple snap-fit or slide-on attachment without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If mounting brackets require fasteners for attachment, then connection is secure, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting bracket connectionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting brackets are designed with pre-formed attachment features such as integrated clips, snap-fit mechanisms, or deformation elements that engage with corresponding features on the ground bar during insertion. This preliminary preparation of attachment features allows the brackets to be securely fastened to the ground bar through simple insertion and deformation actions, eliminating the need for separate fastener installation steps and significantly reducing installation time while maintaining secure connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8480414B2Universal ground bar system

Publication Date: 2013.07.09 PANDUIT CORP

AI summary

A ground bar assembly includes a ground bar for attaching to grounding conductors and a conductive mounting bracket directly attached to the ground bar. The conductive mounting bracket is configured to space the ground bar apart from a mounting surface. An isolative mounting bracket and varying ground bar assemblies, for differing functions, are also provided.