Adjustable Cable Feeder with Cam-Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable pulling accessories and feeders often require loose pieces that can be lost or require extra hardware, and existing attachment methods are cumbersome, especially when dealing with varying cable tray sizes.
Innovation Solution
A cable feeder system with a housing, drive roller, and idler roller assembly that can be adjusted and easily attached to a cable tray using a ratchet mechanism, allowing for secure and efficient cable installation and removal without the need for complex setups or extra hands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If loose pieces such as screws and nuts are used to fasten cable feeders, then the attachment can be adjusted, but the pieces can easily be lost, dropped, or require extra hardware and hands to install quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fastening mechanism directly into the cable feeder housing, combining the feeder and attachment components into a single unit. This eliminates loose screws and nuts, allowing quick installation with one hand while maintaining adjustability through an integrated cam-lock mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam-lock mechanism is designed to be self-contained within the housing, requiring no external tools or additional hardware. The operator can quickly adjust and secure the cable feeder to various tray sizes using the built-in mechanism, eliminating the need for extra hands or tools.
2Strength
If screw-driven clamps are used to attach cable feeders, then the attachment can be secure, but the method requires handles and repetitive twisting motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw-driven mechanical system with a cam-lock mechanism. This substitution maintains secure attachment through the cam's locking action on the tray while eliminating the need for handles and repetitive twisting motions, significantly reducing operation complexity.
3Ease of operation
If cam locks are used to attach cable feeders, then the attachment can be quick, but users must adjust settings if desiring use on a wider range of tray sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an adjustable cam-lock mechanism that can dynamically adapt to different tray widths. The housing includes adjustable components that allow the cam lock to engage with trays of varying sizes, maintaining both quick installation and wide adaptability range through a single integrated system.
4Reliability
If a full enclosure (conduit) is provided for cable routing, then the cable is protected, but the cable location cannot be easily controlled and additional cables cannot be easily added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses open cable trays segmented into sections with cable feeders positioned at intervals. This segmentation provides cable protection through the feeder structures while maintaining accessibility, allowing easy control of cable location and simple addition of new cables to any section without affecting the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable feeder for feeding cables through a structure according to some embodiments of the disclosure includes a housing having a drive roller attached thereto, and idler roller assembly attached to the housing. In an embodiment, the idler roller assembly can be released from the housing to allow cable to be released from the cable feeder. In an embodiment, the housing is formed from upper and lower housings, and the position of the lower housing and idler roller assembly can be adjusted relative to the upper housing and drive roller.