Ball and Socket Cable Management Link for Angular Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable management systems require lids to conceal guide openings and lack angular adjustment capabilities, making them aesthetically unpleasing and inflexible for various surface orientations.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable cable management system utilizing ball and socket couplings between link members, allowing for angular positioning and eliminating the need for lids, with flexible top walls for cable insertion and a securement element for surface attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional cable management systems use lids to conceal guide openings, then cable concealment is achieved, but device complexity increases and aesthetic appeal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lid component entirely from the cable management system. Instead of using a lid to conceal cables, the system uses the ball and socket coupling mechanism itself to provide both cable routing and aesthetic concealment, eliminating the need for separate concealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cable guide function and the angular adjustment function into a single integrated structure. The ball and socket coupling serves both to allow angular positioning and to conceal the cable path, merging multiple functions into one component rather than requiring separate lid and guide mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cable management systems use fixed structures, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different surface orientations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic ball and socket coupling mechanism that allows the cable management system to adjust to different angular positions. The ball can rotate within the socket, enabling the system to adapt to various surface orientations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the cable management system into modular link members that can be connected through ball and socket couplings. This segmentation allows each module to be independently positioned at different angles, providing versatility without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If rigid cable guides are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but ease of cable insertion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flexible top walls in the link members that can be pushed inward to allow cable insertion. These flexible portions provide ease of cable access while the overall structure maintains structural integrity through the rigid bottom walls and side walls of the link members.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable management assembly based upon adjustable link members for use in guiding cables. A joint connector is positioned along an inner surface of the link member having two shanks that are spaced apart and extend outward from a first edge of the bottom wall terminating with a ball. A receptacle connector is positioned along an opposite edge of the bottom wall and formed from two sockets sized for receipt of each ball. The ball and socket assembly includes a first raised ridge to capture the ball for spacing an adjoining link member a first distance, a second raised ridge is used to capture the ball for spacing the adjoining link member a second distance, and a third raised ridge is used to capture the ball for spacing the adjoining link member a third distance. The link members allow angular placement for optimum cable management.