Bowden Cable Anchor Scaffold to Eliminate Hysteresis and Play

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening arrangements for Bowden cables exhibit hysteresis or play in motion transmission, which affects the precision and reliability of the motion transmission process.

Innovation Solution

The anchor scaffold incorporates first and second protrusions on the fastening plate to provide increased thickness in specific areas, ensuring axial resistance to movement, while a fork-like appendage ensures a unique mounting position, thereby reducing hysteresis and play without compromising assembly ease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the anchor scaffold uses a simple fastening plate structure, then the ease of assembly is improved, but hysteresis or play in motion transmission occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidmotion transmission precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening plate incorporates protrusions at specific locations (first protrusion between proximal section and fastening plate, second protrusion between distal section and fastening plate) to provide localized axial contrast. This local quality enhancement eliminates hysteresis and play in motion transmission while preserving the overall simplicity and ease of assembly of the fastening plate structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the anchor scaffold increases thickness to eliminate hysteresis, then motion transmission precision is improved, but the complexity of the structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion transmission precisionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly increasing the thickness of the entire fastening plate, the invention introduces localized protrusions (first and second protrusions) only where axial contrast is needed. This approach eliminates hysteresis and play while minimizing structural complexity and maintaining overall design simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening plate is segmented into distinct functional zones: the main plate body for structural support, and localized protrusions for eliminating hysteresis. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently without unnecessary complexity in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the anchor scaffold adds protrusions to reduce play, then motion transmission precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion transmission precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions are integrated into the fastening plate as localized features rather than separate components. This allows them to be manufactured in the same molding or machining process as the main plate body, minimizing additional manufacturing steps and complexity while achieving the required motion transmission precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4624773A1Arrangement for fastening a bowden cable
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 DENSO THERMAL SYST SPA
  • EP4624773A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4624773A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4624773A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Arrangement for fastening a Bowden cable, comprising a force transmitting cable (11) having an end (11a) provided with an end fastening element (13), and a driven element (B) comprising an anchor scaffold (20) made of plastic material, to which the end fastening element (13) of the force transmitting cable (11) is coupled, the anchor scaffold (20) comprising a fastening plate (21) and a connection portion (22) connecting the fastening plate (21) to the driven element (B) in such a way that the fastening plate (21) is spaced from the driven element (B), wherein a through-hole (23) is formed through the fastening plate (21), receiving an inflection section (13c) of the end fastening element (13). The anchor scaffold (20) comprises a first protrusion (24) arranged between a proximal section (13a) of the end fastening element (13) and the fastening plate (21), and a second protrusion (25) arranged between a distal section (13e) of the end fastening element (13) and the fastening plate (21).