Wire Clamp With Raised Ridge For Secure Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wire termination methods, such as ground terminals, face challenges with limited torque capacity and difficulty in installing rigid wires due to the lack of structural support, making it hard to securely connect wires without piercing the wiring device.
Innovation Solution
A wire clamp with external tabs and a raised ridge that securely grips the wire without piercing the wiring device, providing structural support and preventing rotation during installation, allowing for efficient wire termination using a screw-type mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional ground terminals are used for wire termination, then the wire can be connected to the terminal, but the torque capacity is limited and rigid wires are difficult to install due to lack of structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The wire clamp is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion for structural support, tabs for anti-rotation engagement, and a raised ridge for wire gripping. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function, with the body providing torque capacity and the ridge providing wire securing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire clamp acts as an intermediary component between the screw terminal and the wire. It transfers and distributes the mechanical force from the screw, providing both structural support for rigid wires and a gripping surface for secure termination, thereby resolving the limitations of direct wire-to-terminal connection.
2Reliability
If conventional wire termination methods are used, then wires can be connected, but the wiring device may be pierced which causes material usage increase and contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The wire clamp extracts the wire termination function from the wiring device housing itself, creating a separate dedicated component. This allows the housing to remain intact without piercings, eliminating contamination risks and material waste, while the clamp provides specialized wire securing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire clamp is designed as a simple, inexpensive metal component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. Its simple geometry allows for cost-effective production while providing reliable wire termination without compromising the permanent wiring device housing.
3Ease of operation
If conventional ground terminals without structural support are used, then installation is simpler, but the torque capacity is limited making secure connection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wire clamp concentrates structural strength locally at the raised ridge where wire gripping is needed, while the tabs provide localized anti-rotation engagement. This local quality enhancement allows the overall component to remain simple and easy to install while providing high torque capacity at critical points.
Data Source
AI summary
A wire clamp is presented including a body having a face surface and an opposing back surface; a front end, a back end, and side ends; at least one tab positioned on an edge of the back end and an opening disposed substantially centrally on the body, the opening extending from the face surface to the back surface. The wire clamp also includes a plurality of gripping members positioned on edges of the side ends and a raised ridge extending a width of the clamp, the raised ridge adapted to grip a wire.