Cable Fixture Assembly with Fold-Back Reinforcement for Tensile Load Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for fastening cables to cable carriers, such as stripping the protective cover and folding it back for adhesion, result in deformation under tensile load, weakening the fixation and potentially damaging the cable ferrule.

Innovation Solution

A cable fixture assembly where the fold-back section of the reinforcement cover is looped around a strengthening member positioned between the reinforcement cover and the outer jacket, providing strain relief and improved robustness by absorbing tensile loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cable is fixed to the cable carrier by stripping off the protective cover and folding it back for adhesion, then the cable can be secured to the carrier, but the cable jacket edge deforms under tensile load, weakening the fixation and potentially damaging the cable ferrule

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable fixation reliabilityVSAvoidcable jacket strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A strengthening member (such as a steel wire or rod) is introduced as an intermediary element between the cable and the cable carrier. The fold-back section of the reinforcement cover is looped around this strengthening member, which absorbs tensile loads and prevents direct stress on the cable jacket edge, thereby preventing deformation and maintaining fixation reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution combines multiple materials with different properties: the reinforcement cover (fold-back section), the strengthening member (steel wire or rod), and the cable carrier. This composite structure distributes mechanical stresses appropriately, with the strengthening member bearing tensile loads while the reinforcement cover provides structural support and positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the fold-back section of the reinforcement cover is looped around a strengthening member, then resistance against tensile loads is enhanced and cable jacket deformation is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile load resistanceVSAvoidfastening structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strengthening member serves multiple functions: it acts as a load-bearing element, a structural support, and a positioning feature for the fold-back section. The fold-back section itself performs dual functions as both structural reinforcement and fastening element by looping around the strengthening member, reducing the need for additional separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2674797B1Cable fixture assembly for fastening at least one cable at a cable carrier as well as a splitter comprising such cable fixture assembly
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 TE CONNECTIVITY NEDERLAND
  • EP2674797B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2674797B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2674797B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cable fixture assembly (1) for fastening at least one cable (2), such as an optical fibre cable (2a), at a cable carrier (3), such as a housing (23) of a splitter (22), said assembly (1) comprising: the cable (2) having a core (4), a reinforcement cover (6) for protecting the core (4) as well as an outer jacket (8), wherein the reinforcement cover (6) and the outer jacket (8) are stripped off the core (4), at least in sections, and the stripped-off reinforcement cover (6) is folded back; as well as the cable carrier (3), to which the cable (2) is fastened with the fold-back section (6a) of the reinforcement cover (6). Further provided is a method of fastening at least one cable (2) having a core (4), a reinforcement cover (6) for protecting the core (4) as well as an outer jacket (8), such as an optical fibre cable (2a), at a cable carrier (3), such as the housing (23) of a splitter (22), the method comprising the steps of: stripping the reinforcement cover (6) and the outer jacket (8) off the core (4), at least in sections; folding back the stripped-off reinforcement cover (6), and fastening the fold-back section (6a) of the reinforcement cover (6) to the cable carrier (3). For providing a cable fixture assembly as well as a method of fastening that gives a better resistance against tensile load when the cable is pulled on, the assembly of the present invention comprises a strengthening member (12), around which the fold-back section (6a) of the reinforcement cover (6) is looped, and the method of the present invention comprises the step of looping the fold-back section (6a) of the reinforcement cover (6) around a strengthening member (12).