Cable Guide Device With Integrated Two-Color Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cable protection and guide devices, such as energy guide chains, face issues with numerous parts requiring complex assembly, time-consuming maintenance, displacement between components leading to breakage, and excessive stress concentration during flexional operations, resulting in premature failure.

Innovation Solution

A cable protection and guide device featuring pairs of spaced side plates connected in a longitudinal direction with bridged connecting arms, using highly-rigid resin for side plates and flexible fatigue-resistant resin coupling portions, integrated via two-color molding, to prevent disconnection and enhance durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If side plates are connected by separate coupling elements, then the device can be assembled, but the number of parts increases and assembly becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling element is integrated into the side plate structure, forming a unified component. The side plate includes a coupling portion with coupling protrusions that directly engage with subsequent side plates, eliminating the need for separate coupling elements and reducing the total part count while simplifying assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of repair

If side plates are connected by separate coupling elements, then connection is achieved, but maintenance time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance timeVSAvoidconnection and disconnection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the coupling element into the side plate to form a unified structure with coupling protrusions, the device enables faster maintenance operations. The coupled side plates can be quickly disconnected and reconnected without handling separate coupling elements, significantly reducing maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If coupling elements are fitted between side plates, then connection is established, but displacement occurs during flexional operations causing breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidcoupling portion durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling protrusions are pre-formed as integral parts of the side plate structure during manufacturing. This preliminary formation ensures precise geometric alignment and proper fit between coupling elements before assembly, preventing displacement during flexional operations and eliminating the risk of breakage at the coupling portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If connecting rods protrude from side plates, then flexional connection is achieved, but stress concentration occurs causing premature breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexional connection capabilityVSAvoidconnecting rod durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling portion is designed with differentiated local properties: the coupling protrusions provide rigid connection geometry, while the resin material composition is optimized for fatigue resistance at the coupling region. This local quality optimization prevents stress concentration and enhances durability during flexional operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

5Ease of operation

If repeated flexional operations occur, then cable movement is enabled, but displacement accumulates causing guide breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable movement capabilityVSAvoidguide device stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling protrusions are pre-formed with precise geometry during manufacturing, establishing accurate alignment between side plates before operation. This preliminary precision prevents cumulative displacement during repeated flexional operations, maintaining connection stability and preventing guide breakage while enabling continuous cable movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

6Reliability

If no displacement occurs at coupling portion, then connection remains intact, but excessive stress concentration generates premature breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection integrityVSAvoidcoupling portion fatigue resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling portion utilizes a resin material specifically selected and formulated for superior fatigue resistance properties. This local material quality enhancement allows the coupling structure to withstand excessive stress concentrations during flexional operations without premature breakage, maintaining connection integrity while improving durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7392650B2Cable protection and guide device

Publication Date: 2008.07.01 TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO

AI summary

A cable or the like protection and guide device is disclosed which prevents inadvertent disconnection due to repeated flexure. Excellent fatigue resistance is exhibited. A cable or the like protection and guide device in which pairs of side plates are respectively formed of a highly-rigid resin front side plate portion connected to a preceding side plate and a highly-rigid resin rear side plate portion is connected to a subsequent side plate. A flexible fatigue resistant resin coupling portion is interposed between the front side plate portion and the rear side plate portion in an integrated manner by using a using two-color molding.