Cable Retaining Device Asymmetric Design for Robotic Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable-retaining devices require a specific rotational alignment for robotic assembly, making them challenging for automated installation processes, especially in vehicle wiring harnesses, which are typically labor-intensive and difficult for robots to perform efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A cable-retaining-device with a cylindrically shaped body and a radially extending slot, featuring a cable-retaining-band and ridges or facets, allowing for easy alignment and retention of cables without requiring unique rotational orientation, enabling robotic installation without the need for precise rotational alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clip with integral fastening device (such as fir tree or rose bud) is used to retain electrical wiring, then the cable retention is secure and reliable, but the device requires particular rotational alignment about the longitudinal axis of the electrical wiring, making it challenging for automated assembly processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing a cable retaining device with an asymmetric cross-sectional shape that includes a flat portion and a curved portion. The flat portion is specifically designed to interface with a corresponding flat portion on the robotic end effector, creating a unique rotational orientation requirement only at the interface level, while the overall device maintains rotational flexibility for cable installation. This asymmetric design enables reliable retention while facilitating automated assembly through precise geometric matching between the device and robotic interface.
2Reliability
If a traditional cable retaining device requiring rotational alignment is used, then secure cable retention is achieved, but the installation process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cable retaining device into distinct functional portions: a body portion for cable retention, a flat portion for robotic interfacing, and an integrated fastening device. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the body portion ensures secure cable retention while the flat portion enables rapid robotic placement without rotational alignment requirements, thereby improving installation speed while maintaining retention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the cable retaining device with an integrated fastening device and specific geometric features (flat portion, curved portion) during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex alignment operations during installation, as the device is already configured to interface directly with the robotic end effector, enabling rapid one-piece installation that improves productivity while maintaining secure retention.
3Reliability
If a clip attached to a fastener or with integral fastening device is used, then effective cable retention is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components and alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the fastening device directly into the body of the cable retaining device, creating a unified one-piece structure. The flat portion and curved portion are incorporated as integral features of the device body rather than separate components. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment operations between multiple parts, reduces device complexity, while maintaining effective cable retention through the integrated fastening mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4A
AI summary
A cable-retaining-device (10) is configured to use with a robotic actuator. The cable-retaining-device (10) includes a generally cylindrically shaped body (114) defining a longitudinal-axis (116). A mesial-portion (118) of the body (114) defines a passage (120) configured to receive a cable (112) extending longitudinally along an entire length of the body (114). A distal-portion (124) of the body (114) defines a slot (126) extending radially about the longitudinal-axis (116). The cable-retaining-device (10) also includes a cable-retaining-band (132) disposed within the slot (126) and radially encircling the cable-retaining-device (10).