Adjustable Aerospace Cable Retaining Bracket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing avionics wiring clamps, such as P-clamps, are not size adjustable, posing challenges during maintenance when adding new wiring to existing bundles, as they cannot accommodate varying cable diameters without pinching or requiring increased clamp sizes.

Innovation Solution

A modular cable retaining assembly featuring a bracket with ratcheting strips and a clip with ratcheting teeth, allowing for adjustable cable retention without the need for traditional clamps or ties, enabling secure engagement and disengagement of cables of various diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional P-clamps are used for cable management, then cable retention is achieved, but the clamps are not size adjustable and cannot accommodate varying cable diameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable diameter accommodationVSAvoidclamp size variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp incorporates a movable jaw that can adjust its position along the cable bundle, allowing dynamic adaptation to different cable diameters. The jaw can be positioned at multiple locations to accommodate varying sizes without requiring multiple fixed-size clamps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp design integrates both retention and adjustment functions into a single device. The universal clamp can accommodate various cable diameters through its adjustable mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple specialized clamps of different sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If cable ties are used for securing cables, then cable retention is achieved, but the ties are not reusable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable retention securityVSAvoidmaintenance reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is divided into separable components including a body and a movable jaw that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows the clamp to be disassembled, adjusted, and reassembled for reuse during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp design enables recovery and reuse of the entire clamp assembly after cable bundling. Unlike disposable cable ties, the clamp can be removed, repositioned, and reused multiple times without loss of retention capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If clamp size is increased to accommodate new wiring, then cable accommodation is improved, but existing clamp pinching issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable bundle capacityVSAvoidcable pinching

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable jaw allows the clamp to dynamically adjust its gripping force and position. This prevents pinching of existing cables when accommodating additional wiring, as the jaw can be positioned to distribute pressure evenly across the cable bundle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10578231B2Plastic cable management design for retaining wire bundles in aerospace applications

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 GE AVIATION SYST LTD

AI summary

A beneficial cable retaining assembly provides for size adjustment to accommodate cable bundles of various diameters for avionics wiring, and allows for a set of cables to be secured without the use of a cable tie. The cable retaining assembly comprises a bracket having channels and a clip configured to slide within the channels.