Cable Gland With Rollable Clamp for Secure Tool-Free Rope Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loop formers and wire rope holders face difficulties in securely guiding and locking ropes without slipping, especially in applications where aesthetics and consistent operation are crucial, such as trade fair construction, and they often require tools for operation.
Innovation Solution
A rope feedthrough system featuring a cable bushing with a rollable clamping element and a carriage module that allows oblique displacement, enabling self-clamping and easy release of the rope, reducing the risk of damage and improving usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional clamping mechanism is used to secure the cable, then the cable is locked against slipping, but the locking mechanism is difficult to release and requires tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spherical clamping element that rolls along the cable to achieve clamping. The curved surface of the ball allows it to rotate and clamp the cable effectively, while also enabling easy release by simply rolling the ball back, eliminating the need for tools to unlock conventional mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical clamping mechanisms (screws, levers, or keys) with a rolling ball system. Instead of using threaded connections or lever-based locking, the patent uses the rolling motion and friction of a spherical element to clamp and release the cable, simplifying the operation to a single rotational movement.
2Reliability
If a clamping mechanism with large contact area is used, then secure locking is achieved, but the cable is more susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical shape of the clamping element concentrates the clamping force on a small contact area, reducing the risk of cable damage while maintaining effective locking. The ball's curvature allows it to apply point contact pressure rather than distributed pressure, securing the cable without excessive force on any single location.
3Device complexity
If a fixed clamping position is used, then simple structure is achieved, but the system is sensitive to dirt and damaged ropes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic clamping system where the spherical element can roll along the cable to different positions. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to variations in cable condition, dirt accumulation, or damage by finding optimal clamping locations, rather than being fixed at a single predetermined position.
4Ease of operation
If the carriage is guided at an angle to the cable channel, then self-clamping is achieved, but the displacement path becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical clamping element's geometry naturally facilitates the angled displacement path. As the ball rolls along the angled trajectory, its rotation automatically generates the clamping force perpendicular to the cable, achieving self-clamping without additional mechanical components. The curved surface of the ball adapts to the angled motion path.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures secure rope locking without tools, maintains aesthetic orientation, and operates consistently across varying rope diameters and angles, enhancing safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the rollable clamping element can roll along the cable and/or the base body
Implementation Method 2
clamping the cable between the rollable clamping element and a counter wall of the cable channel
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rope guide (10a, 10b), in particular for a loop former (1, 100) or wire rope holder (200), for guiding a rope (S1, S2) through a base module (2) and for securing the rope (S1, S2) against slippage along a locking direction (Rs), comprising a rope channel (11a, 11b) for inserting the rope (S1, S2) and a slide module (30) with a slide (31) which is slidably guided through the base module (2) obliquely relative to the rope channel (11a, 11b). The slide module (30) comprises a rollable clamping element (32, 232) for clamping the rope (S1, S2) between the rollable clamping element (32, 232) and a counter wall (16) of the rope channel (11a, 11b). The carriage (31) guides the rollable clamping element (32, 232) along its displacement path (33).To ensure easy operation and high safety, a circumferential surface (32a, 232a) of the rollable clamping element (32, 232), which surrounds an axis of rotation (Ro) of the rollable clamping element (32, 232), is convexly curved outwards along the axis of rotation (Ro) towards the center of the rollable clamping element (32, 232).