Tool-Free Cable Retention Assembly with Guide Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for securing electrical cables to appliances require hand tools, making them cumbersome for installation in inaccessible spaces, and are often complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising a clamping member with spatially separated cable holes and guide channels, and anchoring members with ribs that allow the clamping member to be secured without tools, by threading the cable through holes and sliding the clamping member along guide rails until it is retained between ribs, preventing twisting or translation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bridge member with screw holes is used to secure the electrical cable, then the cable retention reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because hand tools are required for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping member is designed to automatically clamp the cable when inserted into the housing, without requiring external hand tools. The spring member provides automatic clamping force that engages the cable upon insertion, making the system self-servicing during installation
Solution Approach 2:
The screw fastening mechanism is extracted and replaced with a spring-loaded automatic clamping mechanism. This removes the need for screwdrivers or other hand tools, allowing installation to be performed by simply inserting the clamping member into the housing
2Reliability
If a bridge member with screw holes is used to secure the electrical cable, then the cable retention reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping member and spring member are combined into an integrated assembly where the spring is contained within the clamping member. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall assembly process while maintaining reliable cable retention
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member is nested within the clamping member, with the spring housed inside the hollow body of the clamping member. This nesting arrangement consolidates multiple functional elements into a single compact unit, reducing assembly complexity
3Ease of operation
If a clamp with cable thread holes is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the clamp cannot be securely fixed to the appliance body
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the clamping member for cable engagement, the spring member for providing clamping force, and the housing for secure mounting to the appliance body. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, combining ease of cable threading with reliable fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping member acts as an intermediary between the cable and the housing. It provides the cable thread holes for easy cable insertion while simultaneously engaging with the housing through the spring mechanism, thereby bridging the gap between ease of operation and reliable fixation
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses an assembly (30, 40) for securing an electrical cable (1) to a body (3) such as the body of an electrical appliance. The assembly comprises a clamping member (30) comprising a pair of spatially separated cable holes (31) dimensioned to receive the electrical cable and a pair of guide channels (33) inwardly extending from opposing edges (34) of the clamping member and a pair of anchoring members (40) for securing the clamping member to the body, each anchoring member comprising a major surface (41) transversely extending from a mounting surface, the major surface having an edge region defining a guide rail (42) for engaging with one of the guide channels and a pair of spatially separated ribs (43, 44) extending from the edge region across said major surface for retaining the clamping member. At least the anchoring members may form an integral part of the body of the electrical appliance. Also disclosed are an electrical appliance including at least part of this assembly and the method of securing an electrical cable to a body using this assembly.