Cable Coupling Assembly for Drain Cleaning Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable coupling assemblies for rotating cable assemblies, such as drain cleaning tools, lack a cost-effective solution that provides long durability and easy engagement/disengagement, while ensuring secure connection and preventing unintended disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A cable coupling assembly featuring a male coupling with engagement prongs and a female coupling with a plunger that is axially positionable between retracted and extended positions, using a spring bias to secure the connection and allow easy disengagement with the assistance of a tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional male and female coupling components with interlocking shapes are used, then axial engagement of cable sections is achieved, but additional fasteners and assemblies are required to prevent unintended disengagement, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the engagement and locking functions into a single integrated mechanism. The cam-shaped plunger head with lobes integrates the locking action (through cam lobes engaging cam surfaces) and the retention function (through spring-loaded plunger) into one component, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and assemblies while maintaining connection security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spring-loaded plunger that can dynamically move between engaged and disengaged positions. The cam-shaped head with lobes allows the plunger to rotate and cam out of engagement slots during intentional disengagement, providing dynamic control over the connection state rather than a static fixed connection
2Reliability
If additional fasteners and assemblies are used to secure coupling components, then unintended disengagement is prevented, but engagement and disengagement operations become more time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded plunger is pre-positioned in a biased state ready to engage. When the coupling components are brought together, the plunger automatically engages the slots without requiring additional fastening operations. The cam lobes are pre-configured to cam out during a simple rotational motion, enabling quick disengagement without complex operations
Solution Approach 2:
The cam-shaped plunger head design allows the coupling mechanism to self-lock through the cam action of the lobes engaging the slots. The spring automatically maintains engagement pressure, and the cam lobes automatically disengage when rotated, making the system self-servicing without requiring external fasteners or complex operational steps
3Device complexity
If a simple interlocking coupling design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but durability under rotating cable forces and resistance to unintended disengagement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling design segments the locking function into multiple cam lobes (typically two or more) distributed around the plunger head circumference. This segmentation provides multiple independent engagement points, distributing the loads from rotating cable forces across several contact points rather than a single point, thereby increasing durability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The cam-shaped plunger head with curved lobes and the corresponding cam surfaces in the slots utilize curved geometries to convert linear forces from cable rotation into radial locking forces. The cam curvature allows the lobes to cam out smoothly during disengagement while maintaining strong engagement under load, providing durability without requiring a complex multi-component assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Cable coupling assemblies are described which can be readily engaged and separated from one another. The couplings are particularly useful for use in torque transmitting cables such as those used in drain cleaning applications.