Portable Cable Support With Groove Clamps For Jointing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable supports for electric cables are not adequately light, sturdy, or easy to use, especially when handling heavy and rigid medium voltage underground cables, which complicates jointing and termination processes and increases the risk of errors and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A portable support system featuring a horizontal bar with three fasteners, each with a groove and clamp to maintain cable position perpendicular to the bar, and a stand for stability, allowing for adjustable height and angle, and foldable legs for portability, enabling simultaneous handling of all phases and tools during cable manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the portable support is made lightweight for portability, then it becomes easier to carry to the site, but it may lack the sturdiness to withstand forces during cable manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of portable supportVSAvoidsturdiness to withstand forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The portable support structure combines aluminum extrusions (lightweight) with steel fasteners and clamps (strong), creating a composite system that achieves both portability and structural strength. The horizontal bar uses aluminum for weight reduction while steel components provide the necessary clamping force and durability during cable manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the portable support structure is simplified for ease of use, then it becomes easier to operate, but it may compromise the reliability needed for safe cable handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidreliability for safe cable handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fasteners are designed with self-adjusting clamps that automatically grip the cable when positioned in the groove, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms. The cable's own weight and positioning in the groove activate the clamping action, providing both ease of operation and reliable securement without requiring additional fastening steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If multiple cables are handled simultaneously to expede the process, then productivity increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of cable jointing processVSAvoidcomplexity of support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The horizontal bar is divided into multiple identical fastener positions, each capable of independently securing a cable. This segmented design allows three cables to be handled simultaneously while maintaining a relatively simple modular structure that can be manufactured using standard aluminum extrusion profiles and replicated fastener assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3620708A1A portable support for manipulating cables
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 VICERA OY
  • EP3620708A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3620708A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3620708A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A portable support for manipulating cables, comprises a horizontal bar (10) having three fasteners (11), wherein each fastener (11) is configured to support one cable (12). A stand is attached to the horizontal bar (10), configured to provide distance between the ground (14) and the horizontal bar (10), and to maintain stability of the portable support. Each fastener (11) comprises a groove (15) transverse to the horizontal bar (10), configured to receive the cable (12), and a clamp (16) for pressing a cable (12) towards the groove (15), wherein each cable (12) is in transverse position to the horizontal bar (10) when tightened into the fastener (11).