Hand-Operated Cable Guide Tool for Sharp Edge Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
When routing a sheathed electrical cable around a sharp edge, such as a wall stud or metal grid, the sheathing often gets damaged due to friction, which can expose the conducting wires if further tension is applied.
Innovation Solution
A hand-manipulable tool with clamping members and guide members that can be securely attached to the edge, providing a smooth surface for the cable to pass through, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the sheathing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cable is routed around a sharp edge, then the cable can be installed in tight spaces, but the sheathing may be damaged due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide member as an intermediary component between the cable and the sharp edge. This guide member provides a smooth surface that the cable contacts instead of the sharp edge, thereby preventing sheathing damage while still allowing the cable to be routed around the corner. The guide member acts as a mediator that transfers the cable's path around the hazardous edge without direct contact between the cable and the sharp edge.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a guide member is added to protect the cable, then sheathing damage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide member with the clamping member into a single integrated tool assembly. The guide member is attached to the clamping member, allowing both functions (clamping and guiding) to be performed by one tool rather than requiring separate devices. This merging reduces overall device complexity compared to having independent guide members and clamping devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is divided into distinct functional segments: clamping members for securing the tool to the surface and guide members for cable protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The guide member can be detached or replaced independently if needed, providing flexibility without increasing permanent complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the tool is made small and hand-manipulable, then ease of operation improves, but the clamping force may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tool employs a dynamic clamping mechanism that allows the user to apply varying amounts of force as needed. The clamping members can be manually adjusted to provide sufficient clamping force for the specific application, and the mechanism is designed to be actuated by hand. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the small tool to generate adequate clamping force when needed while remaining easily manipulable.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member incorporates a curved or rounded surface that conforms to the cable's path around the corner. This curved geometry distributes the contact forces more effectively along the cable's routing path, reducing peak stresses on the sheathing while requiring less total clamping force from the tool. The curvature helps maintain cable protection with reduced clamping pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool which is positionable adjacent a relatively sharp edge around which or past which a sheathed cable is desired to be routed includes a pair of clamping members which are manipulable with the hand of a user and adapted to be clamped to an item disposed adjacent the relatively sharp edge. In addition, the tool includes a pair of guide members which are attached to the clamping members of the tool and which provide, when the tool is clamped about the item, a substantially enclosed, smooth-surfaced passageway through which the sheathed cable can be routed to eliminate any contact between the relatively sharp edge and the sheathed cable routed around or past the relatively sharp edge. The defined passageway reduces the likelihood that the relative sharp edge will damage the sheathing of the cable as the cable is routed around or past the relatively sharp edge.