Angled Cable Tie Belt for Wrapping Bundles Near Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable ties struggle to efficiently wrap around bundles of tied articles positioned adjacent to wall-like structural members, as the presence of these obstacles hinders the worker's ability to hold and move the belt portions, leading to difficulties in securing the bundle.
Innovation Solution
A cable tie design featuring a belt with specifically inclined linear portions that allow stepwise movement and extension around obstacles, enabling easy wrapping and securing even when positioned near structural members, with a buckle and belt configuration that facilitates smooth insertion and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the belt is a single linear portion as in conventional cable ties, then the structure is simple, but the worker cannot easily hold and move the belt when the bundle is positioned adjacent to a wall-like structural member
Solution Approach 1:
The belt is divided into multiple linear portions (first linear portion, second linear portion, third linear portion) connected at specific angles. This segmentation allows different portions to perform different functions: the first linear portion provides a gripping section for workers, the second linear portion wraps around the bundle, and the third linear portion engages with the buckle. This resolves the contradiction by making the belt easier to handle near obstacles while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt portions are designed with specific inclination angles (first angle and second angle) that allow dynamic adaptation during the tying process. When the bundle is near a structural member, the angled portions can flex and adjust to accommodate the restricted space, enabling workers to easily insert and manipulate the belt end without requiring large movement amplitudes.
2Speed
If the belt is thrust toward the structural member to move it along the member, then movement along the member is achieved, but the belt becomes orthogonally flexed and prevented from moving further
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-linear portions with specific inclination angles provide dynamic flexibility that prevents orthogonal flexing. When force is applied to move the belt along the structural member, the angled connections between linear portions allow the belt to conform to the restricted space without becoming locked in an orthogonal flexed state, maintaining continuous movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The specific inclination angles of the linear portions change the mechanical parameters of the belt, allowing it to navigate restricted spaces efficiently. The angles are optimized to prevent the belt from becoming perpendicular to the structural member, thereby avoiding the flexing problem while maintaining fast wrapping speed.
3Ease of operation
If the belt is curved as in conventional cable ties, then wrapping around the bundle is facilitated, but the distal end cannot be easily held by fingers when positioned adjacent to a structural member
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single curved belt, the invention segments the belt into multiple linear portions connected at angles. The first linear portion serves as a gripping section that extends linearly from the buckle, making it easy for workers to hold with fingers even when the bundle is near a structural member. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing a holdable linear section while the other portions perform wrapping functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt features asymmetric geometry with linear portions at different inclination angles rather than a symmetric curved shape. This asymmetry allows the first linear portion to extend in a direction favorable for finger gripping, while the second and third portions are angled to facilitate wrapping around the bundle and engagement with the buckle.
4Strength
If the second linear portion contacts the structural member over the entire length, then the belt is pressed against the member, but the portion is prevented from moving along the member
Solution Approach 1:
The specific inclination angles of the linear portions change the contact characteristics with the structural member. Instead of the entire length contacting simultaneously, the angled geometry ensures that only specific sections contact the member at any given time, allowing continuous movement while maintaining sufficient fastening strength through progressive engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable tie may include a desired length of belt configured to be wrapped around a bundle of tied articles, and a buckle connected to a proximal end portion of the belt and having a belt insertion hole. The belt includes a base portion linearly extending from the buckle and a functional portion having a first linear portion and a second linear portion. The first linear portion is connected to a distal end of the base portion at a proximal end thereof. The second linear portion is connected to a distal end of the first liner portion at a proximal end thereof. The first linear portion is inclined at a first angle with respect to the base portion in a belt wrapping direction. The second linear portion is inclined at a second angle with respect to the first liner portion in the belt wrapping direction. The first angle is determined to be equal to or smaller than the second angle.