Angled-Spoke Cable Grommet Assembly for Stable Heavy Cable Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable hangers struggle to securely hold fiber optic and hybrid fiber/power cables due to their irregular shapes and increased weight, often leading to grommets slipping or not providing sufficient support.
Innovation Solution
A cable hanger assembly featuring a grommet with a polymeric material, radially inward angled spokes, and annular inner wall, along with outwardly extending arms, designed to securely hold cables within the hanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard hangers with simple grommets are used, then device complexity is low, but reliability of cable retention deteriorates due to grommets slipping or not providing sufficient support for irregular-shaped and heavy cables
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet is divided into multiple functional segments: a body portion for basic retention, multiple arms extending in different directions for enhanced gripping, and internal ribs for cable support. This segmentation allows each component to address specific retention challenges posed by irregular-shaped and heavy cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet incorporates flexible polymeric material that can dynamically adapt its shape and rigidity based on the cable being held. The material properties allow the grommet to deform during installation and then maintain a stable gripping force on various cable types and orientations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If grommets are made larger to accommodate various cable sizes, then adaptability improves, but the grommet may slip from the cable hanger or use excessive material
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the grommet have different properties optimized for specific functions: the body portion provides structural support, the arms provide directional retention, and the internal ribs provide cable-specific gripping. This local quality differentiation allows the grommet to accommodate various cable sizes without requiring uniform increases in overall size or material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet design allows for parameter variations in arm length, arm angle, and rib configuration to optimize performance for different cable types. These parameter changes enable adaptability across cable sizes without proportionally increasing material consumption.
3Strength
If heavy-duty grommets are used to support increased cable weight, then strength improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing function is segmented across multiple structural elements: the body portion, multiple arms, and internal ribs all contribute to supporting cable weight. This distribution of structural responsibility achieves high strength without requiring excessive material in any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet utilizes polymeric material with optimized mechanical properties that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. The composite structure of the grommet, combining multiple geometric features within a single polymer component, achieves heavy-duty performance while remaining cost-effective to manufacture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The grommet assembly provides stable and predictable cable retention, resisting excessive forces and allowing easy installation in any orientation, while minimizing material use and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The grommet is formed of a polymeric material... provides stable and predictable cable retention
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a cable hanger assembly. The cable hanger assembly includes a cable hanger having opposable arms and a grommet formed of a polymeric material. The grommet includes a main body having a generally cylindrical profile, a plurality of spokes extending radially inward from the main body at an oblique angle relative to the main body, and an annular inner wall coupled to the plurality of angled spokes and surrounding an interior cavity. The grommet is held between the opposable arms of the cable hanger.