Cable Assembly Anchor With Spring-Loaded Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion-transmitting remote control cable assemblies in the automotive industry face challenges in manufacturing variations affecting performance and require improved designs for easier assembly, reduced material usage, and enhanced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A cable assembly with a positionally insensitive anchor system, featuring a quick connect coupler and retention mount interface, along with a swivel tube and isolator design that includes a ball socket joint and spring-loaded components for secure attachment and vibration damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cable assemblies are manufactured to meet performance requirements, then reliable force transmission is achieved, but manufacturing tolerances must be very close and assembly is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the anchor component, specifically providing it with a curved surface that complements a curved surface on the mounting bracket. This curvature design allows the anchor to self-align and accommodate a range of angular positions, transforming the system from one requiring precise linear positioning to one that tolerates angular variation, thereby reducing manufacturing tolerance requirements while maintaining reliable force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular/rotational freedom as an additional degree of freedom to the anchoring system. By designing the anchor and mounting bracket with complementary curved surfaces, the system allows rotation about the anchor axis, adding a dimensional aspect that compensates for manufacturing variations and simplifies assembly without compromising performance reliability.
2Strength
If traditional cable assemblies are designed for secure attachment, then high pull-out loads are achieved, but assembly and disassembly become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring-loaded pin mechanism that dynamically adjusts between two states: during assembly, the spring allows the pin to be easily inserted and the anchor to rotate into position; during operation, the spring maintains constant force to secure the anchor firmly. This dynamic mechanism enables both easy assembly and high pull-out load capacity without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member is pre-loaded during manufacturing to exert a continuous forcing force on the pin. This preliminary action ensures that the pin remains under constant spring force, maintaining secure attachment while allowing for easy assembly since the spring already provides the necessary retention force without requiring additional locking mechanisms.
3Reliability
If robust cable assemblies are designed to accommodate manufacturing variations, then performance is maintained, but more material is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses geometric parameter changes in the form of curved surfaces with specific radii of curvature. The anchor and mounting bracket are designed with complementary curved surfaces where the radius of curvature of the anchor's curved surface is greater than or equal to that of the mounting bracket. This parameter relationship allows the smaller bracket curvature to accommodate the larger anchor curvature, providing tolerance compensation without requiring excessive material.
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 enables easy assembly and disassembly, high pull-out loads, reduced vibrations, and improved manufacturing tolerance compensation, while maintaining robust performance and reducing material requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member biasing the slide collar toward the flange
Implementation Method 2
a drop-in swivel tube has a ball portion within the socket to form a ball socket joint such that the swivel tube is pivotable relative to the end fitting
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly includes a mount and an anchor. The mount may include a bracket having an edge, a slot formed in the bracket and extending from the edge, and a recess extending at least partially around the slot. The anchor may be an end fitting that includes an adjuster body having a flange, a slide collar movable toward and away from the flange, and a spring member biasing the slide collar toward the flange. The adjuster body may extend through the slot with the flange and the slide collar on opposed sides. The spring member may bias the slide collar into the recess to form an interlock between the end fitting and the bracket that resists removal of the end fitting from the slot. A preferred end fitting has a drop in swivel tube and an internal isolator that completely isolates a conduit sleeve.