Rotatable Bend Restrictor Assembly for Stable Underwater Cable Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bend restrictors for flexible members, such as underwater cables, are difficult to assemble and provide low stability, which can lead to damage from excessive bending.
Innovation Solution
A bend restrictor design featuring a closed sleeve section as a fixation element that connects two parts of the connection assembly, allowing for easy assembly and high stability, with rotatable base elements and bearing parts for multidirectional movement, and an optional predetermined breaking point to prevent damage from excessive forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fixation elements are used to connect base elements, then the bend restrictor provides structural stability, but the assembly process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fixation element and connection assembly into a single integrated component. The fixation element features an integrated connection assembly with receiving elements that directly engage with protrusions on base elements, eliminating the need for separate fixation components and reducing assembly steps while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation element incorporates self-aligning and self-fixing features through its integrated connection assembly. The receiving elements automatically engage with the protrusions on base elements during insertion, providing automatic fixation without requiring additional fastening operations or complex alignment procedures.
2Reliability
If traditional fixation elements are used to connect base elements, then the connection can be achieved, but the stability of the bend restrictor is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation element integrates multiple fixation and connection functions into a single monolithic component, ensuring consistent structural stability while simplifying the assembly process. This integration eliminates variability associated with multiple separate parts and their assembly, providing reliable and repeatable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation element is designed with segmented receiving elements that can independently engage with protrusions on base elements. This segmentation allows for distributed load bearing and enhanced stability while maintaining a simple single-piece structure that is easy to manufacture and assemble.
3Ease of manufacture
If a monolithic fixation element is used, then production is simplified and stability is improved, but the design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic fixation element incorporates multiple functional features including fixation surfaces, connection receiving elements, and positioning features within a single component. This multi-functionality allows the same basic structure to serve various fixation and connection purposes, maintaining design versatility while simplifying manufacturing through a single-piece construction.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bend restrictor (100) for a flexible member (110), in particular an underwater cable (111), the bend restrictor (100) comprising at least two base elements (10, 11, 12) each having a feedthrough (17) for the flexible member (110), a connection assembly (20) comprising two parts (21, 22) for connecting the two base elements (10, 11, 12), wherein at least one of the base elements (10, 11, 12) is rotatable relative to the connection assembly (20); and a fixation element (30) for fixing the two parts (21, 22) of the connection assembly (20) to each other.