Cable Manager With Flexible Tubes And Deformable Trough
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of cables in patient monitoring environments leads to disorganization, tripping hazards, and potential disconnection from devices, complicating healthcare delivery.
Innovation Solution
A cable management system comprising a rigid housing with cable receptacles and flexible tubes, allowing for customizable organization and secure attachment of cables, along with a mobile stand and deformable trough for flexible cable placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If numerous cables are used to transport power and patient medical parameters, then the monitoring device can provide comprehensive healthcare services, but the cables cause disorganization and tripping hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cables from the general environment and confines them to specific receptacles and channels within the housing structure. The cables are taken out of the open space and placed into designated pathways, eliminating tripping hazards while preserving their function for transporting power and medical parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure acts as an intermediary between the cables and the surrounding environment. It provides a protective enclosure with integrated cable management features, mediating between the need for comprehensive monitoring and the need to eliminate tripping hazards by controlling cable placement and routing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cables are allowed to have slack and vary in length, then they can accommodate different proximity distances, but they become disorganized and complicate equipment use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cable management function into separate receptacles and channels within the housing. Each cable is assigned to a specific receptacle with its own channel, dividing the overall cable management task into discrete, organized units that prevent tangling and disorganization while maintaining individual cable flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions cable management from a two-dimensional surface problem to a three-dimensional spatial solution. Cables are routed through vertical channels and recesses within the housing structure, utilizing the third dimension to organize cables that would otherwise be disorganized on a flat surface, thereby improving equipment usability.
3Ease of operation
If cables are draped across equipment, then they can reach the patient monitoring device, but they prevent use of the equipment and complicate the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where cables are placed within channels that are themselves within the housing. The channels are recessed into the housing walls, creating a nested arrangement where cables are contained within the housing structure. This nesting prevents cables from draping across equipment while maintaining connectivity, thereby reducing environmental complexity.
4Reliability
If a rigid cable management structure is used, then cables are organized securely, but the system lacks mobility and adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flexible arm mechanism that allows the housing to be positioned at different angles and locations. The flexible arm provides dynamic adjustability, enabling the rigid housing structure to be moved and repositioned as needed, thus combining the reliability of secure cable organization with the adaptability of system mobility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively organizes cables, prevents tripping hazards, ensures secure connections, and enhances hygiene by allowing easy cleaning and customizable cable orientation.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of flexible tubes can each be bonded to the respective cable receptacle at the distal end using a flexible adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a rigid housing and flexible tubes. The rigid housing includes cable receptacles. Each cable receptacle has a distal end and a longitudinal opening configured to accept a cable. The flexible tubes are configured to accept cables and orient the cables in a customizable, organized manner. Each flexible tube is secured to a respective cable receptacle at the distal end and has a longitudinal opening oriented to align with the longitudinal opening of the respective cable receptacle. Another system includes a vertical stand structure configured to maneuver about a floor and a deformable trough secured to the vertical stand structure. The deformable trough is configured to initially bend in a customizable manner to form a customized configuration and subsequently maintain the customized configuration to facilitate placement of the cables within the deformable trough and provide for mobility of the vertical stand structure.