Tubular Cable Guide Device Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tubular cable protection and guide devices experience disengagement of locking portions under outward pulling force and exhibit high bending resistance due to thick engaged inner circumference wall portions and limited engagement points.
Innovation Solution
The tubular cable protection and guide device features a ruler-shaped elastomer resin sheet with a pair of locking portions having multiple ridges that alternate and tilt for enhanced engagement, reducing bending resistance and preventing disengagement, along with a groove for reduced elastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the inner circumference wall portions are engaged at only one point with thick structure, then the locking portions can be simplified, but the locking portions may be disengaged under outward pulling force and bending resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portions are segmented into multiple engagement points (first engagement point, second engagement point, third engagement point) along the circumferential direction. This segmentation distributes the outward pulling force across multiple points, preventing disengagement while maintaining structural simplicity. The ridges and grooves create discrete engagement zones that work together to secure the inner circumference wall portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement structure transitions from a single-point engagement to a multi-point engagement distributed in the circumferential dimension. The ridges extend in the sheet longitudinal direction and are arranged in the transverse direction, creating engagement points distributed around the circumference. This dimensional distribution enhances reliability without increasing overall structural complexity.
2Device complexity
If the inner circumference wall portions are engaged at only one point, then the structure can be simpler, but bending resistance increases making flexional positioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is segmented into multiple ridges and grooves distributed circumferentially. This segmentation allows the structure to flex more easily by distributing bending stresses across multiple engagement points rather than concentrating them at a single thick engagement point, reducing overall bending resistance while maintaining engagement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ridge structure provides localized engagement strength at specific points while allowing other areas to be more flexible. The ridges have specific geometries (tilted top portions, groove positions) that provide engagement where needed while permitting bending in other regions, achieving a balance between structural integrity and flexibility.
3Reliability
If multiple ridges are added to the locking portions for enhanced engagement, then disengagement is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple ridges and grooves are merged into a single integrated elastomer resin sheet structure. Rather than adding separate components, the engagement features are formed as integral parts of the sheet through molding or forming processes. This merging approach provides multi-point engagement reliability while avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer resin sheet performs multiple functions: it provides the outer circumference wall, inner circumference wall, sidewalls, and the locking portions with ridges and grooves all in a single component. This multi-functionality achieves reliable engagement through multiple ridges without increasing device complexity, as all features are integrated into one universal structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the elastomer resin sheet is bent to form the cable receiving room, then the device can accommodate cables, but the bending creates stress that may affect engagement reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The ridges and grooves are pre-formed in the elastomer resin sheet before bending to create the cable receiving room. This preliminary formation of engagement features ensures that the engagement structure is established while the material is in a more stable state, and the subsequent bending does not compromise the pre-formed engagement geometry. The engagement points are created in advance to maintain reliability under later bending stresses.
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular cable protection and guide device is provided. The tubular cable protection and cable device includes an elastomer resin sheet that has: an outer circumference wall forming portion, a pair of sidewall forming portions on the left and right sides, and a pair of inner circumference wall forming portions on the left and right sides. The inner circumference wall forming portions have a pair of locking portions. When a cable receiving room is formed, the pair of locking portions is engaged with each other along a sheet longitudinal direction on a flexional inner circumference side, such that the inner circumference wall forming portions form a wall facing the outer circumference wall forming portion. The locking portions each includes a plurality of ridges that extend in the sheet longitudinal direction and are arranged in the transverse direction to be alternately inserted between each other when engaged with each other.