Cable Guide Holder With Transverse Insertion Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable processing devices face challenges with inaccurate positioning and alignment of guide tubes, leading to increased costs and inflexibility, as well as the inability to be installed on existing facilities, and there is a need for a manual, cost-effective, and reliable method for fitting and replacing cable guides.

Innovation Solution

A cable handling device with a support that forms a guide perpendicular to the cable guide direction, allowing precise positioning and attachment, featuring a linear guide with adjustable width and a locking mechanism to prevent unintended removal, and enabling easy one-handed operation, along with a gripper for cable handling and sensor devices for size verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If automatic guide tube insertion is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide tube positioning accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of insertion mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide tube insertion system is designed to be self-aligning through the guide structure with transverse guidance that automatically positions the support at the correct location and orientation, eliminating the need for complex automated positioning mechanisms while maintaining high positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A guide structure acts as an intermediary between the holder and the support, providing geometric constraints that ensure accurate positioning without requiring active control systems. The guide's transverse guide direction serves as a mechanical mediator that translates manual insertion into precise positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual cable guide fitting is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of manual operationVSAvoidcable guide positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide structure serves as a passive intermediary that provides geometric constraints during manual insertion, ensuring that even simple manual operations result in high positioning accuracy. The guide's shape and orientation constraints translate uncontrolled manual motion into precise final positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning function is extracted from the active control system and embedded into the passive guide structure itself. The guide's geometry inherently provides positioning constraints, separating the positioning function from complex actuation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the cable guide is securely locked in the holder, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation for replacement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of cable guide in holderVSAvoidease of cable guide replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism operates in discrete states (locked/unlocked) that can be easily toggled. The guide structure provides periodic geometric constraints that naturally lock the support in position during normal operation, while allowing deliberate release for replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static locked state during operation to a dynamic replaceable state when needed. The guide structure's geometry provides automatic locking during cable processing, while the same geometry allows easy release when the support needs replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the guide structure prevents unintended loss of cable guide, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of cable guide lossVSAvoidcomplexity of guide structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide structure provides counteracting geometric constraints that prevent the support from moving out of position due to vibrations, impacts, or gravity. The transverse guidance acts as a mechanical counterweight force that balances destabilizing influences without requiring active control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentEP3820003B1Cable testing device
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 SCHLEUNIGER AG
  • EP3820003B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3820003B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3820003B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cable handling device (1) for handling a cable (2), in particular for gripping a cable (2) and/or for feeding a cable (2) to one or more cable processing stations (3), comprising: - a cable guide (4), preferably in the form of a guide tube, through which a cable guidance direction (5) is defined, and - a holder (7) for holding the cable guide (4), wherein the cable guide (4) is removable from the holder (7), characterized in that: - the cable guide (4) is arranged on a support (6), - the holder (7) forms a guide (8) whose guidance direction (9) is transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the cable guidance direction (5) and which has an insertion point (10) for inserting the support (6) into the guide (8), and - the support (6) is guided through the guide (8) and is displaceable along the guidance direction (9).