Cable-Slider Coupling Structure for Easy Assembly and Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling mechanisms face challenges in preventing cable drops from sliders when external forces are applied in three-dimensional directions, leading to assembly difficulties and reduced productivity due to the need for precise alignment and increased rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A coupling mechanism featuring a cable end housing part with a separation restraining part that includes an installation space, an inlet with a gap equal to or greater than the cable diameter, a passage part, and a restriction part to block parallel movement, allowing the cable to move perpendicular to the axis and preventing separation from the slider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gap of the opening at the extending portion is set to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the cable to prevent dropping, then cable retention is improved, but assembly difficulty increases and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is segmented into two functional parts: an inlet with a gap equal to or greater than the cable diameter for easy assembly, and a passage part with a gap smaller than the cable diameter for cable retention. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function optimally without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening transitions from a two-dimensional gap to a three-dimensional passage structure with distinct inlet and passage portions. This dimensional transformation enables the system to achieve both easy assembly (through the open inlet) and reliable retention (through the constrained passage) simultaneously.
2Strength
If the diameter of the cable is increased to maintain rigidity, then cable strength is improved, but the degree of freedom of wiring is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The opening structure provides different local qualities: the inlet portion offers a wide gap for flexible cable insertion from multiple directions, while the passage part provides a narrow gap for secure retention. This local differentiation allows thin, flexible cables to be both easily assembled and reliably retained.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment is required for cable assembly to the slider, then assembly precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet is pre-configured with a gap equal to or greater than the cable diameter, allowing the cable to be inserted without requiring precise alignment during assembly. This preliminary design feature eliminates the need for careful positioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the cable to be precisely aligned with a narrow opening, the design inverts the approach by providing a wide inlet that accepts the cable from various angles, then uses the passage part to secure it. This inversion of the traditional narrow-opening approach dramatically simplifies assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling mechanism includes a cable including a cable end at an end portion, a slider including a coupling part coupled with the end portion, and a joint case including a slider housing space, wherein the coupling part includes a cable end housing part, and a separation restraining part restraining cable separation from the slider, and wherein the separation restraining part includes an installation space where the cable extended from the cable end is disposed with the cable coupled with the slider, an inlet opening in a direction perpendicular to a cable axis and allowing the cable to move in the direction and pass through the inlet, a passage part allowing the cable to move to the installation space through the inlet, and a first restriction part blocking a cable movement direction when the cable in the installation space moves in a direction parallel to a passage part's extending direction.