Bowden Cable Mounting with Toothed Adjustment Lever

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control cable mounting systems are complex and costly due to the need for multiple parts and operations to securely position, adjust, and retain control cables and their sheaths on frame members, often requiring disassembly for adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A control cable positioning, retaining, and adjusting system featuring a cable assembly housing with an axially extending toothed region, a cable assembly receiver with an adjustment window, and a pivoting adjusting lever that engages the toothed region for secure locking and easy adjustment, along with a mounting bracket with flexible flanges for secure attachment to the frame member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional clamping members with bolts, nuts and adjusting knobs are used to secure control cable assembly, then the control cable can be securely retained on the frame member, but the system complexity and cost increase due to multiple parts and operations, and adjustment requires disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure retention of control cableVSAvoidnumber of parts and operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (retention, positioning, and adjustment) into a single integrated cable assembly housing that attaches directly to the frame member. The housing incorporates a receiver with an opening for cable access and a toothed region for engagement, eliminating the need for separate clamping members, bolts, nuts, and adjusting knobs while maintaining secure retention and enabling easy adjustment through a simple lever mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable assembly housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a clamping member to secure the cable to the frame, provides a receiver to guide and position the cable, and incorporates a toothed region that works with an adjusting lever to enable cable length adjustment. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional clamping members with multiple fasteners are used, then the control cable can be securely retained, but the adjustment process becomes complicated requiring disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure retention of control cableVSAvoidadjustment process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic adjusting lever that can pivot between locked and unlocked positions. The lever engages with the toothed region on the housing to lock the cable in place during normal operation, but can be easily manipulated to disengage and allow cable length adjustment. This dynamic mechanism enables secure retention during use while facilitating easy adjustment when needed, without requiring disassembly of the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple parts and operations are used for cable mounting, then secure retention is achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure retention of control cableVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (retention, positioning, and adjustment) into a single integrated cable assembly housing that attaches directly to the frame member. The housing incorporates a receiver with an opening for cable access and a toothed region for engagement, eliminating the need for separate clamping members, bolts, nuts, and adjusting knobs while maintaining secure retention and enabling easy adjustment through a simple lever mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3216657B1Bowden cable mounting and adjustment system
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE INC
  • EP3216657B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3216657B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A control cable positioning, retaining and adjusting system, for mounting a sheathed cable assembly to a frame member, comprises a cable assembly housing having an axially extending, toothed region extending along at least a part of its length, a mounting bracket configured to supportingly receive the cable assembly housing and having an adjustment window to display the toothed region there-through. A cable assembly adjusting lever is mounted to the cable assembly receiver and has a first end comprising an actuator, a second end having a locking tooth extending therefrom and a mid-portion mounted to the cable assembly receiver such that the lever is pivotable thereabout, wherein the cable assembly adjusting lever is positioned such that the locking tooth engages the axially extending, toothed region of the cable assembly housing through the adjustment window or opening.