Cable Anchor With Conical Spring For Thin Wall Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable railing systems face challenges in securely anchoring cables to thin support structures, particularly when only external access is available, and require inexpensive and easily installable anchor solutions.
Innovation Solution
A cable anchor system utilizing a ferrule and spring element, where the ferrule is swaged down to attach a conical coil spring to the cable, allowing the anchor to be passed through a hole in the support structure, with the spring element's larger diameter preventing it from being pulled back, and the ferrule's design facilitating easy installation and resistance to tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lag bolt or traditional anchor is used for thick support structures, then secure anchoring is achieved, but the solution becomes unsuitable for thin-walled support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor transitions from a rigid threaded bolt design to a spring element with variable diameter, allowing it to adapt to thin-walled structures. The spring element's ability to compress and expand enables it to fit through small holes while providing sufficient anchoring force in thin materials where traditional lag bolts would fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor is divided into distinct functional components: a ferrule for cable attachment, a spring element for anchoring, and a variable diameter structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the ferrule secures the cable while the spring element provides the anchoring mechanism adapted to thin-walled structures.
2Reliability
If complex anchor systems are used to ensure secure anchoring, then reliability improves, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed to be self-installing through the hole in the support structure. The variable diameter allows it to pass through easily, then the spring's elasticity automatically provides the anchoring force without requiring additional fastening steps, tools, or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-formed with its variable diameter configuration before installation. This preliminary shaping allows it to be simply inserted through the hole and automatically deploy its anchoring function, eliminating the need for on-site assembly or complex installation procedures.
3Reliability
If the spring element has a larger diameter to prevent pull-back, then anchoring reliability improves, but the ability to pass through small holes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element's diameter is dynamic rather than fixed. It can compress to a smaller diameter to pass through the hole in the support structure, then expand to a larger diameter to provide effective anchoring and resist pull-back forces from the cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of diameter changes state during installation and operation. The spring element transitions from a compressed small-diameter state for insertion to an expanded large-diameter state for anchoring, allowing it to satisfy both the hole passage requirement and the pull-back resistance requirement.
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 anchor system provides secure anchoring of cable railings to thin support structures, ensuring the cable remains in place under tension without requiring complex installation procedures or expensive materials, while being adaptable to various cable diameters and support hole sizes.
Implementation Method 1
the ferrule is swaged down to attach a conical coil spring to the cable
Implementation Method 2
the spring element's larger diameter preventing it from being pulled back
Implementation Method 3
a conical coil spring to the cable
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor for a cable or rod includes a ferrule or other spring stop, to which one or more springs or arms are coupled. The spring stop may be attached to an end or other region of the cable to enable the cable to be tensioned against a support structure. The one or more springs or arms may be, for example, one or more coil springs, one or more conical coil springs, two or more cantilever springs, or one more arms. The anchor is twisted or pushed through a hole in the support structure from a first side to a second side and contacts the surface of the second side. A ferrule spring stop may be swaged to the cable or rod.