Multilayered Braided Sleeve Segmentation for Impact and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textile sleeves for elongate members, such as wires and cables, face challenges in providing high impact resistance, flexibility, ease of assembly, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in tight spaces and with the risk of secondary features coming undone, leading to increased inventory and assembly costs.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered tubular sleeve with a braided inner and outer wall, where the inner and outer walls are bonded at specific points but detached over a length, allowing independent expansion and contraction, and can be made with heat-settable yarns, including recycled and virgin materials, to enhance impact resistance and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the wall is made relatively thick to provide high impact resistance, then impact resistance is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is divided into multiple discrete layers (inner wall, intermediate wall, outer wall) that are bonded at specific locations but detached over significant lengths. This segmentation allows each layer to move independently, maintaining flexibility while providing cumulative impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve structure transitions from a static, rigid thick wall to a dynamic multi-layered system where layers can move relative to each other. The detached portions allow the layers to dynamically adjust during impact events, absorbing energy while maintaining overall flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If wrappable sleeves use secondary features to secure them, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve integrates the fastening function directly into the sleeve structure through bonded end portions, eliminating the need for separate secondary fastening features. The sleeve itself becomes both the protective covering and the securing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is designed to be self-securing through its bonded end portions, which automatically hold the sleeve in place without requiring additional clamps, straps, or tapes. The structure serves its own fastening needs.
3Ease of operation
If wrappable sleeves have overlapped edges, then ease of assembly is improved, but manufacturing precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using overlapping edges, the sleeve is segmented into distinct sections with bonded and detached portions. This eliminates the thickness variation inherent in overlapping constructions while maintaining ease of assembly through the bonded end portions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides enhanced protection against impact and abrasion, simplifies assembly, reduces costs, and allows for use in tight spaces while maintaining high impact resistance and flexibility, with the ability to signify different functions through colored yarns.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the braided tubular inner wall and the braided tubular outer wall is braided with heat-settable yarns, the heat-settable yarns being heat-set to bias the at least one braided tubular inner wall and the braided tubular outer wall into a cylindrical tube
Implementation Method 2
the first inner end is heat-fused to the first outer end, and the second inner end is heat-fused to the second outer end
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayered tubular sleeve including a braided tubular inner wall extending about a central axis between opposite first and second inner end portions and a braided tubular outer wall extending about the central axis between opposite first and second outer end portions. The first inner end portion is bonded to the first outer end portion by a first bond joint, and the second inner end portion is bonded to the second outer end portion by a second bond joint, with the inner wall being detached from the outer wall over a length extending between the first and second bond joints.