Exercise Cable Connection Assembly with Radial Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exercise apparatus connection assemblies for user-coupled links to resistance-bearing cables often suffer from failure or damage, such as kinking or wear, requiring the replacement of entire components rather than just the damaged parts, leading to inefficiencies and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A connection assembly featuring a barrel with a trap portion for the cable and an outer collar with a resilient inner collar that allows for easy replacement of the cable by radially expanding to accommodate the enlarged ball end, enabling the withdrawal of the cable without disassembling the entire assembly, thus allowing for the replacement of only the worn components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire connection assembly is replaced when the cable fails or wears, then reliability is restored, but loss of substance increases and productivity decreases due to unnecessary replacement of functional components
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly is divided into separable components: the cable and the connection assembly proper (barrel, outer collar, inner collar). This segmentation allows the cable to be replaced independently without replacing the entire assembly, reducing waste of functional components while restoring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is designed as a replaceable component that can be discarded when worn or damaged, while the connection assembly (barrel, collars) is recovered and retained for continued use. This principle eliminates unnecessary replacement of durable components.
2Ease of repair
If the entire connection assembly is disassembled to replace the cable, then the cable can be replaced, but loss of time increases due to complex disassembly and reassembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is extracted as a separate, easily removable component from the connection assembly. The design allows the cable to be taken out and replaced without disassembling the barrel or collars, significantly reducing replacement time while maintaining ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is pre-configured with features (enlarged ball end, engagement geometry) that allow for quick installation and removal. The inner collar is pre-positioned to guide cable installation, enabling rapid replacement without complex alignment procedures.
3Reliability
If the cable is tightly secured in the connection assembly, then reliability improves, but ease of operation worsens when cable replacement is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system provides dynamic retention: the cable is securely held during operation through the trap portion and collars, but can be easily released when needed. The outer collar can be removed to allow cable extraction, providing both secure retention and ease of replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner collar acts as an intermediary component that secures the cable during operation but can be removed or expanded to facilitate cable replacement. This mediator provides both reliable retention and ease of operation.
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
This solution enhances cable life by allowing for the replacement of only the damaged components, reducing maintenance costs and simplifying the process of replacing worn parts, while also enabling relative rotation between the cable and the user-coupled link.
Implementation Method 1
an outer collar with a resilient inner collar that allows for easy replacement of the cable by radially expanding to accommodate the enlarged ball end
Data Source
AI summary
A connection assembly is provided for connecting a user-coupled link to a resistance-bearing cable in exercise apparatus. An inner collar is provided in an axial gap between an outer collar and a barrel trappingly engaging the cable. A removal method is provided facilitating low cost component replacement.