Cable Fixing Device Edge Clip Protective Tab Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable fixing devices risk damaging cables during assembly due to cables being inserted into the plug-on gap, where barbs can catch and cause damage when the fixing device is mounted onto a sheet-metal fold.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with an edge clip part featuring protective tabs articulated within the plug-on gap to prevent cable intrusion, reinforced by a metal part that includes holding tongues to securely attach to the edge, ensuring cables cannot enter the gap until the device is mounted, thereby reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fixing device is designed with a plug-on gap for mounting onto the edge, then the ease of operation is improved, but cables may intrude into the gap and get damaged by barbs during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
Protective tabs are pre-positioned to cover the plug-on gap before mounting occurs. These tabs are articulated to boundary walls and extend towards the gap, creating a preliminary barrier that prevents cable intrusion during the assembly process, while still allowing the edge to be inserted.
Solution Approach 2:
Protective tabs serve as intermediary elements between the plug-on gap and cables. These tabs are flexibly connected to boundary walls and can be pushed aside by the edge during mounting, but they actively prevent cable entry into the gap by forming a movable barrier.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protective tabs are added to prevent cable intrusion, then cable safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is segmented into multiple independent protective tabs rather than using a single complex barrier. Each tab is individually articulated to boundary walls and can independently deflect during assembly, distributing the protective function across multiple simple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Protective tabs are designed as dynamic, movable elements rather than fixed structures. They are articulated to boundary walls allowing them to rotate or flex during assembly when the edge is inserted, but they maintain their protective position to prevent cable intrusion under normal conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective tab is made rigid to effectively block cables, then cable protection is improved, but the ease of mounting deteriorates due to interference with edge insertion
Solution Approach 1:
Protective tabs are designed as dynamic elements that change position based on operational conditions. During mounting, they deflect to allow edge insertion; during normal operation, they return to their blocking position to prevent cable intrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The position and orientation parameters of protective tabs are changed dynamically. They transition from a cable-blocking configuration to an edge-accommodating configuration during assembly, then return to the blocking configuration after mounting is complete.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device for cables has at least an edge clip part for mounting the fixing device on an edge of a base part. The edge clip part includes a plug-on gap into which the edge is introduced when plugging the edge clip part onto the edge. At least one protective tab is provided which is articulated to a boundary wall of the plug-on gap and extends towards an opposed boundary wall of the plug-on gap. A recess for the protective tab is provided on the opposed boundary wall of the plug-on gap, into which the tip of the protective tab partly engages in the unloaded condition of the edge clip part.