Armor Clamping Tool with Leaf Spring Force Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held tools for cutting armored cables lack a mechanism to controllably alter the force applied by the clamping stud, which can result in either insufficient or excessive force, potentially damaging the cable.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held tool with a force controller mechanism that utilizes a leaf spring and a pivotally coupled lever system, where the force applied to the clamping stud is adjusted by changing the contact point of a projection on the spring, allowing for controlled force distribution and reduced damage to the cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamping stud is used to register the cable, then the cable can be securely held, but the applied force may be great enough to crush the armor of the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a force controller that modifies the force parameter applied by the clamping stud. The controller includes a resilient member (spring) that is compressible between the lever and the clamping stud, thereby reducing the clamping force to a level that secures the cable without crushing the armor. This directly addresses the contradiction by changing the force parameter from potentially damaging levels to safe levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member (spring) acts as an intermediary between the lever and the clamping stud. Instead of the lever directly transmitting full user-applied force to the clamping stud, the spring absorbs and moderates this force, providing a controlled, reduced force to the clamping stud that secures the cable without causing damage to the armor.
2Reliability
If the force applied by the clamping stud is increased to securely hold the cable, then the cable registration is more reliable, but the cable armor may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The force controller changes the force parameter from high (potentially damaging) to an optimized level that maintains reliable cable registration while preserving armor integrity. The spring mechanism provides consistent, controlled force that is sufficient for secure holding without exceeding the damage threshold of the cable armor.
3Device complexity
If a simple lever system is used, then the device structure is simple, but the force applied cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, direct force transmission of a simple lever system into a dynamic system with a resilient member. The spring allows the system to adapt the applied force automatically based on the cable's resistance, providing force control without requiring complex additional mechanisms. This maintains relative simplicity while adding the crucial force control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing the resilient member that can compress and extend, the system gains the ability to control and modulate the force parameter. This allows the device to maintain simplicity in overall structure while achieving sophisticated force control through the elastic properties of the spring.
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 tool enables precise control of the clamping force, ensuring the cable is securely held without damage, with a self-adjusting stroke that accommodates varying cable diameters, and allows for efficient cutting of the armored casing.
Implementation Method 1
a force controller operative to controllably alter the force applied by the clamping stud
Implementation Method 2
the pivotal motion of a lever translates in the linear motion of a clamping stud which registers the cable to be cut in the desired position
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for clamping and cutting an armor of a cable is configured with a housing extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to receive the cable, an elongated lever having a distal end pivotally coupled to a distal end of the housing; an elongated spring having a proximal end, which is riveted to the proximal end of the housing, and a distal end which terminates at a distance from the distal ends, a clamping stud coupled to the distal end of the spring. The elongated spring and the lever are configured to have a controllably slidable contact point therebetween. A torque applied to the lever translates into a spring-bending force applied to the spring and sufficient to bring the stud in contact with the armor with a clamping force depending on the location of the point of contact and smaller than the spring-bending force.