Cable Guide Arc Center Inversion to Stop Abrasion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cable protection and guide devices experience abrasion and noise issues due to the arc-shaped portions sliding on the support surface when switching between linear and flexional positions.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates link side plates with flexible linkage portions, where the arc-shaped ends are positioned to create a gap from the support surface, preventing sliding and noise by moving the arc center in a direction opposite to the support, thus maintaining contact only when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the arc-shaped portion is provided on the flexional outer circumferential side at the position corresponding to the coupling member with the curvature radius equal to the length from the coupling member to the support surface, then the device can smoothly transition between linear and flexional positions, but the arc-shaped portion slides on the support surface generating abrasion powder and noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth transition between positionsVSAvoidabrasion powder and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional design by positioning the arc-shaped portion not at the coupling member location but at the link side plate location. The arc center is positioned at the link side plate rather than at the coupling member, which reverses the rotation center and prevents the arc-shaped portion from contacting the support surface during flexion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spatial dimension of the arc-shaped portion's position from the coupling member level to the link side plate level. This dimensional shift in the vertical direction ensures that the arc-shaped portion follows a different trajectory that maintains clearance from the support surface while still enabling smooth flexional movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the arc-shaped portion contacts the support surface during position switching, then the device structure is simple, but abrasion occurs between the arc-shaped portion and support surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidabrasion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harmful contact between the arc-shaped portion and support surface into a beneficial non-contact relationship. By repositioning the arc center at the link side plate, the design ensures that the arc-shaped portion's movement path naturally maintains clearance from the support surface, eliminating abrasion while preserving the flexional capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This design effectively prevents abrasion and noise by ensuring the arc-shaped ends do not slide on the support surface, enhancing the durability and quiet operation of the cable protection and guide device.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible linkage portion (123) which is interposed between the front side plate portion (121) and the rear side plate portion (122)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8919093B2Cable protection and guide device

Publication Date: 2014.12.30 TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO

AI summary

A cable protection and guide device capable of preventing abrasion powder that is otherwise generated when a link side plate slides on a support surface while switching between a linear position and a flexional position. The link side plate integrally includes: a front side plate portion connected to a longitudinally preceding link side plate to form a cable flexional inner circumferential side; a rear side plate portion connected to a longitudinally succeeding link side plate to form a cable flexional outer circumferential side; and, a flexible linkage portion interposed between the front and rear side plate portions. The rear side plate portion includes a first flexional outer circumferential end surface in an arc shape and provided on the cable flexional outer circumferential side, and, an arc center of the first flexional outer circumferential end surface longitudinally preceding a center of the linkage portion of the succeeding link side plate.