Articulated Arm Cable Routing via Axis Intersection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding structures for motor vehicle mirror and camera devices with cable routing require high bending radii, leading to mechanical performance issues due to varying cable paths during different angular positions, and external routing solutions cause undesirable cable movements.
Innovation Solution
An articulated arm assembly with a cable carrying structure that keeps the electric cable intersecting a single axis of rotation, using guiding or clamping portions to prevent lateral, vertical, or longitudinal movements, minimizing the bending radius and ensuring consistent cable routing across all positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cables are routed through a central aperture in the folding mechanism, then cable routing is convenient and organized, but the cable must bend according to a large bending radius which increases the overall size and complexity of the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing function is extracted from the central aperture of the folding mechanism and relocated to an external routing path. The cable is guided through a routing space formed in a bracket and inner supporting tube, separating the cable path from the rotational axis of the folding mechanism, thereby reducing the bending radius requirement and overall structure size.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable guiding structure comprising a bracket and inner supporting tube is introduced as an intermediary element to guide the cable along a controlled path. This mediator ensures the cable follows a consistent routing path through the folding mechanism without requiring large bending radii, while maintaining cable protection and organization.
2Volume of moving object
If cables are routed externally through holes in the mirror housing, then the bending radius requirement is reduced, but the cables experience forcing movements and undesirable mechanical stress during folding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guiding structure with routing space acts as an intermediary that protects the cable from direct exposure to forcing movements. The cable passes through a controlled routing path within the bracket and inner supporting tube, which absorbs and distributes the mechanical stress during folding, preventing direct forcing movements on the cable while maintaining a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is nested within the routing space formed by the bracket and inner supporting tube, which are themselves nested within the folding mechanism structure. This nested arrangement protects the cable from external forces while maintaining a compact overall size, as the cable path is integrated within the existing structural components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cable routing path varies with angular positions during use, then the cable can accommodate folding movements, but the mechanical performance and structural robustness of the cable are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guiding structure is designed to dynamically adapt to the folding mechanism's angular positions while maintaining a consistent cable routing path. The bracket and inner supporting tube move together as a unit during folding, ensuring the cable follows the same relative path throughout the range of motion, thereby protecting the cable from variable stress patterns while maintaining folding adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An articulated arm assembly for motor vehicles includes first and second arm portions, an electric cable, and a cable carrying structure. The first arm portion is adapted to attach to the motor vehicle. The second arm portion rotates with respect to the first arm portion around an axis of rotation. The electric cable at least partially runs along the first and second arm portions. The cable carrying structure includes at least one first carrying portion associated with the first arm portion and at least one second carrying portion associated with the second arm portion. The first and second carrying portions are adapted such that the electric cable permanently intersects the axis of rotation at an intersection area.