Cable Carrier Guide with Sliding Support Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable carrier guides with rotational rollers are complex, costly, and difficult to maintain, often resulting in jamming and inadequate support for long travel cable carriers due to the need for rotational movement, which can lead to damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A modular cable carrier guide with guideposts featuring slidably attached support rollers biased towards an extended position and bumpers that temporarily retract the roller to allow passage, eliminating the need for rotational movement and ensuring consistent support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotational rollers are used in existing cable carrier guides, then the cable carrier can be supported during travel, but the rotational mechanism becomes complex, costly, and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The support roller is designed to dynamically change position between extended and retracted states. During normal operation, the roller extends to support the cable carrier. When the cable carrier approaches, the bumper engages to temporarily retract the roller, allowing passage without contact. This dynamic positioning eliminates the need for continuous rotational movement while maintaining support reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the support roller for continuous support, the bumper for temporary retraction during passage, and the biasing mechanism for maintaining roller position. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If rotational rollers are used in existing cable carrier guides, then the cable carrier can be supported, but the mechanism is expensive to manufacture and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational movement function is extracted from the support roller mechanism and replaced with a simpler linear retraction system. The roller is no longer required to rotate to accommodate passage, but instead simply extends and retracts along a linear path. This extraction of the rotational requirement significantly simplifies manufacturing and reduces maintenance costs while preserving support reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper is designed as a simple, replaceable component that absorbs the impact and temporary retraction function. Rather than requiring a complex rotational mechanism, the bumper serves as a simple mechanical stop that can be easily replaced if worn, reducing overall system cost and maintenance complexity.
3Reliability
If rotational rollers are used in existing cable carrier guides, then the cable carrier can be supported, but the roller may jam or fail to rotate quickly enough from engaged to resting position
Solution Approach 1:
The support roller transitions from a static or slowly rotating component to a dynamically positioned element that can quickly extend and retract. The biased mechanism provides immediate response when the bumper is engaged, causing the roller to rapidly retract from the engaged position to the retracted position, eliminating jamming issues and improving response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the roller rotate to move out of the way during passage (as in existing designs), the invention inverts the approach by having the roller retract linearly when needed and extend to support during normal operation. This inversion of the movement mechanism eliminates rotational inertia and jamming problems, enabling faster response.
4Ease of manufacture
If a modular guide design is used, then assembly is easier and cost is reduced, but the guide must still provide consistent support for long travel distances
Solution Approach 1:
The cable carrier guide is divided into modular sections, each containing a support roller, bumper, and biasing mechanism. These standardized modules can be easily assembled and replaced, improving ease of manufacture and assembly. Each module independently provides consistent support, ensuring reliability across the entire length of the cable carrier travel path.
Solution Approach 2:
Each modular unit is designed to be universal, with identical support rollers, bumpers, and biasing mechanisms that can be used throughout the entire guide system. This universality ensures consistent support characteristics across all modules while simplifying assembly and maintenance, as the same components are used repeatedly throughout the system.
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 a low-friction, easy-to-assemble, and cost-effective support system that prevents cable carrier damage and ensures efficient operation by maintaining consistent contact with the upper portion of the cable carrier, reducing the risk of jamming and improving maintenance accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The support roller is biased toward the extended position such that it can provide support to the upper portion of the cable carrier as it is needed
Implementation Method 2
The support roller is slidably attached to the support assembly such that it moves between an extended and a retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
A long travel cable carrier guide has a plurality of guideposts that support an upper portion of a cable carrier. The plurality of guideposts include rollers that move between an extended and retracted position that allows the cable carrier to pass by the guideposts. The rollers automatically return to an extended position wherein the rollers protrude into the path of the cable carrier and provide support to the upper portion of the cable carrier as needed.