Cable Bundle Cushion Sleeve With Barbed Tongue Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cushion sleeves for stainless-steel strapping systems are difficult to install and lack the ability to overlap, leading to buckling and inadequate protection for cable bundles during tensioning.

Innovation Solution

A cushion sleeve design featuring a barbed tongue with breakaway tabs and multiple slots allows for easy installation by wrapping around cable bundles, with the tongue breaking away as it is pulled through slots to secure the sleeve tightly, enabling securement and protection in various configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cushion sleeve is designed to be held in place during installation, then the installation process becomes more controlled, but the installation difficulty increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion sleeve is segmented into a body portion and a separate tongue portion. The tongue can be inserted through slots in the body and pulled to tighten the sleeve, eliminating the need for manual holding during installation. This segmentation allows the installer to simply wrap and pull, significantly improving installation speed while maintaining control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion sleeve incorporates a self-tightening mechanism where the tongue, when pulled through the slots, automatically tightens the sleeve around the cable bundle without requiring manual holding or additional tools. The friction between the tongue and slots provides self-retention, enabling quick one-handed installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If the cushion sleeve is made rigid to maintain shape, then structural integrity is improved, but the ability to overlap and buckle during tensioning is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidoverlapping capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion sleeve utilizes a flexible foam material that can bend and overlap during installation. The material maintains its protective cushioning properties while allowing the sleeve to conform to cable bundles of various sizes and configurations. The flexibility enables the sleeve to buckle slightly during tensioning without compromising its protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If the tongue is made secure to prevent detachment, then connection strength is improved, but the ability to break away for tight wrapping is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidtight wrapping capability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tongue is pre-attached to the cushion sleeve body with a controlled-strength connection that is sufficient for normal handling and installation but designed to break away when excessive force is applied. This preliminary attachment allows the tongue to be pulled through the slots to tighten the sleeve, and if needed, to break away cleanly without damaging the sleeve or cable bundle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3909102B1Cushion sleeve
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 PANDUIT CORP
  • EP3909102B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3909102B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3909102B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A cushion sleeve that protects a bundle of cables secured to a support structure by stainless steel strapping. The cushion sleeve includes a top, a bottom, a first end, and a second end. The cushion sleeve includes a body and sidewalls extending from the body. The cushion sleeve also includes a barbed tongue extending from the first end or the second end of the cushion sleeve and slots located at the opposite end of the cushion sleeve. When installing the cushion sleeve, the barbed tongue is inserted through one of the slots and pulled until the cushion sleeve is tight around the cable bundle.