Adjustable Cable Drag Support Elements Reduce Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable guide devices for energy cables face issues with wear and high costs due to friction between sliding elements and the need for expensive deflection channels, which impede the smooth guidance and support of the upper run.
Innovation Solution
The cable guide device incorporates support elements on the side straps of links that adjust to protrude outward in a linear position, allowing them to pass through channels without friction, eliminating the need for a dedicated deflection channel and reducing wear by avoiding contact with channel walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sliding elements are used to support the upper run in the deflection channel, then the upper run can be supported during movement, but friction and wear occur between the sliding elements and channel walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the dedicated deflection channel and sliding elements from the system. Instead, the support elements are integrated directly into the links, which rest on the channel walls during linear movement, eliminating the harmful friction and wear associated with separate sliding components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements are merged with the links themselves rather than being separate components. This integration eliminates the need for dedicated sliding elements and reduces the number of contact surfaces, thereby reducing friction and wear while maintaining the support function.
2Ease of operation
If a dedicated deflection channel is used to guide the deflection area, then smooth guidance is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection guidance function is merged with the links themselves through the adjustable support elements. The links directly interact with the channel walls during linear movement and automatically deflect when needed, eliminating the requirement for a separate, complex deflection channel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The links serve multiple functions: they transmit cable forces, provide structural support, and enable deflection guidance through their integrated support elements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated deflection channels, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Reliability
If support elements are always protruding, then the links can be supported on channel walls, but friction occurs during deflection movement
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements are designed to be adjustable rather than fixed, allowing them to change their protrusion state dynamically. During linear movement, they protrude to provide support on the channel walls; during deflection, they can be retracted or adjusted to minimize friction, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining support when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The position and orientation parameters of the support elements are changed based on the operational state of the links. This allows the support elements to optimize their configuration for either support (protruding) or minimal friction (retracted/adjusted), reducing energy loss during deflection while maintaining reliability during linear movement.
Data Source
Figure 4a~1a
Figure 4b~1b
Figure 8~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a cable drag device (1) for guiding power supply cables. Said cable drag device is constituted of a plurality of members (2) that are hinged to each other and that comprise two respective side bars (3) interlinked by a cross connection. The aim of the invention is to provide a cable drag device (1) whose upper strand is suitably supported in a suitable retaining device for the upper strand. For this purpose, the side bars (3) of at least some members (2) comprise supporting elements (9) that project outward beyond the remaining areas of the outer face (10) of the respective side bar (3) when having a substantially linear relative position to an adjacent member. These supporting elements do not project outward beyond the remaining areas of the outer face (10) of the respective side bar (3) when offset relative to the adjacent member. An adjusting device (11) provided on the adjacent member effects the aforementioned positioning of the supporting elements (9) depending on the relative position of the members.