Cable Management Arm Locking Mechanism for Secure Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cable arrangement devices for cable management arms often result in cables being easily shifted or dropped from support features due to their design, leading to instability and inconvenience during positioning or removal.

Innovation Solution

A cable arrangement device featuring a support member with a U-shaped body and a locking member that pivots to allow upright positioning, enabling easy installation and removal of cables by engaging and disengaging the hook portions and inclined surfaces, preventing the locking member from impeding cable placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cable support features are designed as hook-like members with open top, then the cables can be quickly positioned, but the cables may drop from the open top when the arm is pulled or bent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequick positioning of cablesVSAvoidcable retention stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member is designed to pivot between a locked position (where it engages with the hook portion to secure cables) and an unlocked position (where it allows cable installation/removal). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by providing both quick access and secure retention based on operational state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking member acts as an intermediary between the hook portion and the cables. When engaged, it prevents cable drop while maintaining the open-top hook structure for easy cable positioning. The locking member mediates between the need for quick positioning and the need for secure retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the locking member is engaged with the hook portion, then the cables are securely held, but the locking member may impede cable placement during installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable retention stabilityVSAvoidcable installation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member pivots to an unlocked position during cable installation to clear the path for cable placement, then rotates to the locked position to secure the cables. This dynamic movement resolves the contradiction by temporarily removing the locking member from the cable path during installation while providing secure retention during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking member is designed to be movable to an unlocked position before cable installation occurs. This preliminary action of moving the locking member out of the way allows smooth cable placement, and subsequent rotation locks the cables in place

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2608646B1Cable arrangement device for cable management arm
Publication Date: 2014.04.09 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP2608646B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2608646B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2608646B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A cable arrangement device for a cable management arm includes a support member (14) and a locking member (16). The support member (14) includes a fixing portion (18), an accommodation portion (20) and a hook portion (22). The accommodation portion (20) includes a first sidewall (24), a second sidewall (26) and a bottom wall (28) connected between the first and second sidewalls (24, 26). The first sidewall (24) is fixed to the fixing portion (18) and has a connection member (30) which has a first pivotal portion (32) which has a positioning feature (34). The second sidewall (26) is fixed to the hook portion (22). The locking member (16) has a second pivotal portion (36) and an engaging portion (38). The second pivotal portion (36) is pivotably connected to the first pivotal portion (32) and has an engaging feature (40) engaged with the positioning feature (34). The engaging portion (38) is engaged with the hook portion (22) of the first sidewall (14) when the engaging portion (38) is in locked position.