Cable Pulling Aid With Force Warning for Data Cable Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cable pulling aids often damage high-frequency data cables due to excessive tensile forces, which can impair the cable's properties and render it unusable, especially during processing and installation.

Innovation Solution

A cable pulling aid with an eccentrically mounted clamping body that clamps the cable laterally and features a displaceable handle part between a working and warning position, generating a signal when maximum tensile force is exceeded, allowing for reduced force application and preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If an operator applies pulling force to align the cable in the pulling direction, then the cable can be held taut and aligned in a defined direction, but the cable may be damaged due to excessive tensile forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable alignmentVSAvoidcable damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable pulling aid incorporates a sensor that detects the pulling force applied to the cable and provides feedback to the operator through a display unit. When the pulling force approaches the maximum permissible tensile force, the system alerts the operator, enabling them to reduce the force before cable damage occurs. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents excessive force application while maintaining effective cable alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If maximum tensile forces are applied to the cable for processing and installation, then the cable can be manipulated effectively, but the cable properties may be impaired and the cable may become unusable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable manipulationVSAvoidcable usability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor-based monitoring system continuously measures the tensile force on the cable and provides real-time feedback to the operator. This enables the operator to manipulate the cable effectively while staying within safe force limits, preventing impairment of cable properties and ensuring continued usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the handle part is made fixed relative to the housing, then the device structure is simpler, but the operator cannot reduce force introduction when maximum tensile force is briefly exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidforce transmission to cable
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle part is designed to be movable relative to the housing along the pulling direction, allowing it to shift position when maximum tensile force is exceeded. This dynamic mechanism briefly decouples the operator's pulling force from the cable, preventing force transmission that could damage the cable. The handle can be returned to its original position through spring force or manual operation after the force spike subsides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution ensures safe handling and assembly of cables by reducing tensile force and providing a warning signal when maximum force is approached, preventing damage and ensuring continued processing at a lower force level.

Implementation Method 1

The spring element can return the handle from the warning position to the working position as soon as the preset maximum tensile force is again exceeded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring element: Spring

Implementation Method 2

an eccentric with an eccentrically mounted clamping body is arranged on the housing in order to clamp the cable against the housing in a clamping position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP4138238B1Cable traction aid
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 MD ELEKTRONIK GMBH
  • EP4138238B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4138238B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4138238B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a cable pulling aid for aligning a held cable (1) in a pulling direction, comprising a housing (2) and a handle part (3), wherein an eccentric (4) with an eccentrically mounted clamping element (5) is arranged on the housing (2) to clamp the cable (1) against the housing (2) in a clamping position, wherein in the clamping position the handle part (3) is arranged to be displaceable with respect to the housing (2) between a working position and a warning position, and wherein in the warning position a warning signal is generated as soon as a defined force in the pulling direction is exceeded.