Universal Ground Connector for Cylindrical and Planar Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical installers often face challenges in determining the appropriate ground connector type for various grounded devices, leading to the need to carry multiple connectors, resulting in supply, inventory, and delivery delays due to the lack of a universal solution that can accommodate different configurations.
Innovation Solution
A universal ground connector featuring an elongate bus bar with conductor insertion apertures and set screw apertures, designed to securely attach to both cylindrical pipes and flat panels, utilizing a U-clamp assembly and mounting screws for versatile electrical grounding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple grounding connectors are used to accommodate different grounded member configurations, then the adaptability to various grounded members is improved, but the device complexity and inventory management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bus bar is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple grounded member configurations. The body portion includes a first surface for contact with the grounded member and a second surface for conductor attachment, allowing the same connector to work with different types of grounded members through various attachment mechanisms (clamps, brackets, or direct contact).
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into distinct functional portions: a body portion for attachment to the grounded member, a conductor receiving portion for securing conductors, and an attachment mechanism portion for connecting to the grounded member. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple grounding connectors are used to accommodate different grounded member configurations, then the adaptability to various grounded members is improved, but the loss of time in supply, inventory and delivery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal bus bar design eliminates the need for multiple specialized connectors, allowing installers to use a single connector type for all grounded member configurations. This reduces inventory complexity and eliminates time delays associated with locating and delivering the correct connector type for each specific application.
3Reliability
If the bus bar is designed to attach to a particular source of ground potential, then the electrical continuity and grounding reliability are improved, but the adaptability to different grounded member configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bus bar incorporates different attachment mechanisms at different portions of the body, allowing it to adapt to various grounded member configurations while maintaining reliable electrical contact. The first surface is designed for direct contact with the grounded member, while the attachment mechanism portion can be configured to work with different types of grounded members through clamps, brackets, or other attachment methods.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical ground connector provides attachment to a grounded member. The ground connector includes an elongate bus bar having a first planar surface including a plurality of conductor insertion apertures for accommodating the ends of the electrical conductors therein. A second planar surface generally parallel to the first planar surface includes a plurality of set screw apertures in communication with the conductor insertion apertures for accommodation of the set screw to the ends of the conductors to the bus bar. The bus bar includes a third surface for engagement with the grounded member. The bus bar defines a pair of longitudinally extending spaced apart feet for placement in electrical contacting relationship with the grounded member. The grounded member may be either a cylindrical member or a planar grounded member.