Articulated Cable Guide with Synthetic Resin Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable protection and guide apparatuses for machine tools and moving devices face issues such as difficulty in installation due to inaccurate bending radius, fatigue breakdown, resonance, complex decomposing and assembling, and contamination from abrasion powder, especially when using stainless steel or leaf spring materials.
Innovation Solution
An articulated cable protection and guide apparatus composed of synthetic resin block bodies linked together, allowing for flexible operation between straight and bending postures, with a flexible belt member and connector units that securely guide and protect cables, preventing abrasion powder scattering and facilitating easy installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stainless steel or leaf spring is used for the flexible member, then the cable protection and guide apparatus can provide structural support, but it may cause fatigue breakdown and rupture from long use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal (stainless steel) or elastic material (leaf spring) to synthetic resin. This material substitution eliminates fatigue breakdown and rupture while maintaining the necessary structural support through proper resin formulation and design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction by embedding articulated supporting members (made of synthetic resin) within a jacket component. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for cable guidance and the durability required to prevent fatigue failure
2Strength
If stainless steel or leaf spring is used for the flexible member, then the cable protection and guide apparatus can maintain rigidity, but it cannot be easily cut and connected for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from metal or elastic spring to synthetic resin, which maintains sufficient rigidity for cable support while being easily cut and connected. The resin material can be cleanly cut and joined using simple methods, enabling easy replacement without specialized tools
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cable protection and guide apparatus uses low torsional rigidity when bent, then it can be flexible, but it causes resonance and destabilizes actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure with a jacket component containing articulated supporting members. This composite design provides the flexibility needed for bending while the articulated structure within the jacket maintains sufficient torsional rigidity to prevent resonance and stabilize the apparatus during operation
4Adaptability or versatility
If pieces are injection-molded one by one to the flexible member, then the cable protection and guide apparatus can be customized, but it cannot be mass-produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cable protection and guide apparatus into modular components: a jacket component and multiple articulated supporting members. These standardized segments can be mass-produced using injection molding and then assembled together, enabling both customization for different applications and efficient mass production through standardized parts
5Strength
If the jacket component is retained by clamping means, then the cables can be secured, but abrasion powder scatters from the opened end to contaminate the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic open end of the jacket component by providing a closed-end design. This eliminates the source of abrasion powder scattering while the clamping means continue to securely retain the cables within the enclosed jacket component, preventing contamination
6Ease of operation
If the cable protection and guide apparatus is exposed in an opened state, then installation is simple, but the jacket component and supporting members become damaged or fall out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the apparatus into a jacket component and separate articulated supporting members that can be independently installed. The jacket component can be easily installed in an open state, and the supporting members are then inserted through the jacket's opening. Once installed, the structure prevents further damage or falling out while maintaining installation simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an articulated cable protection and guide apparatus that can securely guide cables between a machine frame-side fixing end area and a machine movable-side moving end area without scattering abrasion powder of the articulated supporting members and the cables to the outside and that can be easily installed in the machine frame-side fixing end area and the machine movable-side moving end area. Connector units, fixed to the machine frame-side fixing end area and the machine movable-side moving end area, integrally retain articulated end portions of the articulated supporting member, cable end portions of the cables and slot end portions of the flexible belt member and seal the slot end portions of the flexible belt member.