Blind Brake Cable Mounting with Elastic Locking Lugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The delicate operation of attaching a brake cable to a drum brake's actuating lever is time-consuming and complicated due to the numerous concealed elements in a drum brake system, existing mounting arrangements being either open or having retaining faces within the lever hole, which do not facilitate easy assembly.
Innovation Solution
A blind mounting arrangement featuring a stop element with flexible axial lugs and an elastic ring that automatically locks into place when the brake cable is pulled, allowing the actuating lever to pivot, and can be easily inserted and removed, utilizing a sleeve with radially biased lugs that occupy a constricted position to secure the end piece of the brake cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional mounting arrangement with open port or retaining faces within the lever hole is used, then the brake cable can be attached to the actuating lever, but the operation is time-consuming and complicated due to numerous concealed elements
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element is designed to automatically lock into place when the brake cable is pulled into position. The flexible axial lugs are radially biased to occupy a constricted position that prevents removal of the end piece, creating a self-securing mechanism that eliminates the need for additional fastening operations or concealed adjustment elements
Solution Approach 2:
The stop element is pre-configured with flexible axial lugs in a radially biased constricted position before assembly. This preliminary configuration ensures that once the brake cable is inserted and pulled, the lugs automatically engage and lock the end piece in place without requiring further manual intervention or complex alignment procedures
2Ease of operation
If a conventional mounting arrangement is used, then the brake cable can be attached, but the operation is complicated due to numerous concealed elements in the drum brake system
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of securing the brake cable from the complex assembly of concealed elements in the drum brake system. The stop element with flexible axial lugs provides a standalone, self-contained securing mechanism that operates independently of the other brake components, simplifying the overall mounting process by removing the need to manipulate multiple concealed parts
Solution Approach 2:
The stop element acts as an intermediary component between the brake cable end piece and the actuating lever. The flexible axial lugs serve as a mediating mechanism that automatically engages to secure the connection, eliminating the need for direct manipulation of concealed elements and reducing the complexity of the mounting operation
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
This solution simplifies the brake cable mounting process by allowing for secure, tensioned retention and easy installation and removal, reducing assembly time and complexity while maintaining the lever's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
each lug is extended by a wing which extends forwards from the front abutment face, the elastic ring being arranged around the wings axially in front of the front abutment face
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 8~13
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement for blind assembling a brake cable (52) on a lever (46) for actuating a drum brake (20) of a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising: an end piece (62) of the cable (52) having a retention surface (66); an actuation lever (46) comprising an axial passage opening (60) receiving the brake cable (52); characterized in that the passage opening (60) has a section greater than that of the retention surface (66) of the end piece (62), and in that the abutment element (68) threaded on the brake cable (52) comprises a rear surface (70) in abutment with the rim of the passage opening (60) and a front surface (72) abutting against the retention surface (66) of the end piece (62). The invention further relates to a method for assembling the brake cable (52).