Cable Clamping Insert Structure for Easier Wedge Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable clamping devices face challenges in releasing the clamping force due to the high friction between the wedge and the device body, which is often made of costly fire-resistant materials like stainless steel.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device design featuring a body with opposite apertures, a clamping member with a sliding surface that tapers inwardly, and an insert arrangement with a holder and clamping formation, allowing for easier release of the clamping force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the body is made of fire-resistant material like stainless steel, then fire safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two parts: a body made of less expensive material and an insert arrangement made of fire-resistant material. This segmentation allows the fire-resistant material to be used only where necessary (in contact with the clamping member) while the main body can be made of cheaper material, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining fire safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a composite structure combining different materials: the body is made of one material while the insert arrangement is made of fire-resistant material. This composite approach allows optimization of each component's material properties, using expensive fire-resistant material only where thermal exposure occurs rather than throughout the entire device.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the clamping member contacts the body over a large surface area, then clamping stability is improved, but releasing the clamping force becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface is segmented by introducing an insert arrangement between the clamping member and the body. This creates a dedicated sliding surface on the insert that provides stable clamping contact while allowing easy release, separating the stability function from the release function.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert arrangement acts as an intermediary element between the clamping member and the body. It provides a specialized sliding surface that facilitates easy release of the clamping member while maintaining stable clamping when engaged, mediating between the conflicting requirements of stability and ease of release.
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 design reduces the surface area of contact between the clamping member and the second clamping wall, making it easier to release the clamping force, while also allowing the use of less expensive materials for the body, reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
reduces the surface area of contact between the clamping member and the second clamping wall, making it easier to release the clamping force
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping device (10, 110, 210) comprising: a body (14) defining opposite apertures (37A, 37B) to allow an elongate article (12) to extend through the body (14), the body (14) defining a space (22) between the apertures (37A, 37B); a clamping member (18) for clamping the elongate article (12); and an insert arrangement (16, 116) or overmoulded part (16, 116) received in the space (22); the insert arrangement (16, 116) or overmoulded part (16, 116) comprising a holder (24) defining a passage (26) along which the elongate article (12) can extend; wherein the holder (24) includes a clamping formation (58, 60), the clamping member (18) clamping the elongate article (12) against the clamping formation (58, 60) in use.