Cable Pulling Cap With Tapered Clamping for Multi-Diameter Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for guiding cables through conduits are often cumbersome, requiring multiple tools, increasing costs, and failing to provide adequate protection against electric shocks, while also being limited in their ability to handle multiple cables and varying diameters.
Innovation Solution
A reusable cap with a tapered clamping section and circumferential clamping edge that self-centers and frictionally connects to elongated elements, allowing easy insertion and removal without tools, while providing protection against electric shocks and accommodating a range of diameters through adjustable grooves and ribs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw or thread is used to fasten the cap to the cable, then the connection security is improved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastening function from the cap body by using a separate retention element (such as a snap-fit component or detachable fastener) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This separates the guiding function (cap) from the fastening function (retention element), reducing the complexity of each individual component while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element is nested within or integrated into the cap structure in a space-efficient manner. For example, a snap-fit mechanism may be embedded in the cap's inner wall, or a removable fastener may be stored within the cap cavity when not in use. This nesting approach maintains secure fastening while minimizing overall device complexity and manufacturing steps.
2Ease of operation
If a sleeve-like device with hemispherical closed side is used, then the cable threading is simplified and gliding properties are improved, but the device cannot accommodate multiple cable diameters and requires tools for application
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates adjustable or flexible elements that allow it to adapt to different cable diameters dynamically. For example, the cap may include expandable vanes, flexible retaining rings, or adjustable clamping mechanisms that can be modified to fit various cable sizes without requiring different cap sizes or specialized tools for installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is designed as a universal device that can accommodate multiple cable diameters and potentially different cable types through standardized opening mechanisms and adjustable retention features. The hemispherical closed end maintains its cable-gliding function while the opening mechanism provides universal adaptability across different cable sizes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cap is designed as a single integrated piece, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the ability to provide both guiding and fastening functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the guiding function (sleeve-like cap with hemispherical end) and the fastening function (retention element or integrated fastening mechanism) into a single cohesive device. The cap structure itself incorporates features such as integrated snap-fit elements, molded-in clamping ribs, or attachment points for fasteners, combining multiple functions into one manufacturing process while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
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 cap facilitates easy guidance of cables through conduits with a secure yet removable connection, reducing friction and manufacturing costs, and offering protection against electric shocks and weather conditions, with the ability to handle multiple cables and varying diameters.
Implementation Method 1
The inner wall has a series of grooves that are spaced radially around a circumference of the inner wall, wherein wedge-shaped ribs remain between adjacent grooves. The cavity has a clamping section in which the cross-section of the inner wall tapers toward the head section.
Implementation Method 2
The cross-section of the inner wall widens in a step-like manner at an end of the clamping section where a diameter of the clamping section is smallest, thereby forming a circumferential clamping edge at which the elongated elements jam when they are inserted into the cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cap is provided that is designed to facilitate the guidance of one or simultaneously more elongated elements, such as cables, hoses or conduits, which can be at least partially loaded in shear, through a hose, pipe or duct. The cap has an elongated sleeve-shaped section and a closed and at least externally rounded head section. The sleeve-shaped section and the head section have an inner wall defining a cavity that is open on a side opposite the head section. The cavity has a clamping section in which the cross-section of the inner wall tapers toward the head section. The cross-section of the cavity widens in a step-like manner at the end of the clamping section where this section is at its smallest diameter. This forms a circumferential clamping edge at which the elongated elements jam when they are inserted into the cavity.