Articulated Cable Guide With Segmented Resin Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable protection and guide apparatuses face challenges with installation in confined spaces due to inflexible materials like stainless steel, difficulty in cutting and connecting, low twisting rigidity leading to instability, and high production costs, as well as issues with accommodating multiple conduits which can cause damage and require wider apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An articulated cable protection and guide apparatus using synthetic resin block bodies linked together with flexible belt members that can be easily cut and connected, featuring tubular storing portions for stable cable management, allowing for operation in both straight and bending postures without increasing installation space, and reducing part complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stainless steel or leaf spring is used as the flexible material for the supporting member, then the cable protection and guide apparatus can provide structural support, but it becomes difficult to install within a predetermined space because the bending radius becomes large and may contact an obstacle
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is divided into multiple link bodies connected by pin joints, allowing the structure to bend in discrete segments rather than as a continuous rigid material. This segmentation enables a smaller bending radius while maintaining structural support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from continuous flexible material (stainless steel/leaf spring) to an articulated structure with discrete link bodies. This parameter change allows the bending radius to be reduced while preserving the supporting function.
2Strength
If stainless steel is used as the flexible member, then the cable protection and guide apparatus can maintain structural integrity, but it may breakdown from fatigue and rupture thus becoming unusable
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the supporting member into multiple link bodies connected by pin joints distributes mechanical stress across multiple connection points, reducing fatigue concentration at any single location and improving resistance to rupture.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member combines multiple link bodies with pin joint connections, creating a composite articulated structure that achieves both structural integrity and improved fatigue resistance through the distributed connection architecture.
3Strength
If the flexible material is made of stainless steel or leaf spring, then the cable protection and guide apparatus can provide support, but it cannot be easily cut and connected, so the supporting member cannot be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is segmented into multiple replaceable link bodies connected by pin joints. This segmentation allows individual link bodies to be easily removed, replaced, or adjusted without affecting the entire supporting structure, significantly improving ease of repair.
4Quantity of substance
If numerous conduits are accommodated in the cable protection and guide apparatus, then all cables can be guided, but it becomes necessary to replace with a wider apparatus having a plurality of channels, which is difficult to fit in a given installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a planar arrangement of channels to a three-dimensional articulated structure where link bodies can be stacked or arranged in multiple layers. This dimensional change allows numerous conduits to be accommodated within a compact width by utilizing vertical or depth space.
5Adaptability or versatility
If numerous conduits take straight and bending postures, then cable flexibility is achieved, but widthwise strain is caused which induces damage to the conduits and the supporting members
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated supporting member with discrete link bodies and pin joints provides flexibility through controlled articulation rather than continuous bending. This segmentation allows cables to change posture while the rigid link bodies maintain structural integrity and resist widthwise strain.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an articulated cable protection and guide apparatus that can securely and stably guide a large number of cables and can assure durability of articulated supporting members operating between straight and bending postures for a long period of time. The articulated cable protection and guide apparatus comprises articulated supporting members which can be easily cut and connected. Each of the articulated supporting members includes a large number of synthetic resin block bodies linked with each other. A plurality of flexible belt members includes tubular storing portions formed in parallel in a belt width direction.