Cable Guide Link Plate with Central Connecting Rod

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cable protection and guide devices face issues with warpage and increased manufacturing costs when the height of link plates is increased, leading to compromised cable accommodation and signal interference, especially when trying to protect and guide multiple cables of varying diameters.

Innovation Solution

A cable protection and guide device with link frame bodies featuring a central connecting rod molded in a wave shape, connecting the link plates at the center, and equipped with hinge and hook mechanisms, allowing for increased height without altering the width and enabling efficient sorting and protection of cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the height of the link plate is increased to accommodate more cables, then the cable accommodation capacity is improved, but the link plate becomes warped or bent causing the upper connecting rod to fail to close

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable accommodation capacityVSAvoidlink plate warpage

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The link plate is divided into multiple sections with reinforcing ribs strategically positioned to segment the structure. This segmentation provides internal support that prevents warpage while allowing the overall height to be increased for greater cable accommodation capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The link plate incorporates curved or arched structural elements rather than purely straight lines. This curvature design distributes stress more evenly throughout the structure, preventing localized warping while maintaining the increased height necessary for accommodating multiple cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If the thickness of the link plate is increased to improve rigidity, then the structural strength is improved, but the link plate increases in size and manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink plate rigidityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly increasing the thickness of the entire link plate, the structure is segmented with reinforcing ribs added only where structurally necessary. This provides the required rigidity and strength while minimizing the overall material usage and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The link plate features varying thickness and reinforcement distributed non-uniformly across its structure. Areas requiring higher strength receive additional reinforcement, while other areas maintain standard thickness, optimizing the balance between rigidity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If multiple cables are accommodated in a conventional device, then the cable accommodation capacity is improved, but signal lines catch electromagnetic noises from power cables causing malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable accommodation capacityVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The link plate is divided into distinct sections with reinforcing ribs that create natural partitions. These segments allow different types of cables (signal lines and power cables) to be routed through separate pathways, preventing electromagnetic interference while maintaining high cable accommodation capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Volume of moving object

If the height of the link plate is increased to accommodate more cables, then the cable accommodation capacity is improved, but the width between link plates must be altered which changes the device dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable accommodation capacityVSAvoidwidth between link plates

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The link plate utilizes curved structural designs that allow vertical expansion in height without requiring horizontal expansion in width. The curved elements efficiently utilize the available vertical space while maintaining the original width dimensions between link plates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS7243486B1Cable protection and guide device

Publication Date: 2007.07.17 TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO

AI summary

A cable protection and guide device is disclosed which can reliably protect and guide cables without increasing and decreasing the width between link plates even if the height of the link plates of the cable protection and guide device is increased. The cable protection and guide device includes a number of link frame bodies each comprising a pair of right and left spaced link plates and upper and lower connecting rods respectively bridged on upper edge and lower edges of the link plates are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction of the device while restricting a flexion radius to a fixed value. A central connecting rod connects the pair of link plates at substantially the center portion along the height direction of the link plate. The central connecting rod is integrally molded with the pair of link plates.