Cable Tie Deformable Engagement Strip Resists Extraction Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable ties fail to effectively absorb large belt extraction loads, leading to unexpected belt withdrawal due to disengagement of engagement claws from rack teeth, necessitating specialized molding die designs.

Innovation Solution

The engagement strip in the buckle is designed to deform upon contact with the belt's teeth, forming a crossing angle that reduces to zero under load, ensuring full surface contact and enhanced resistance against extraction forces without altering the engagement claw or tooth surface shapes, thus no special molding die design is required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the engagement surfaces of the engagement claws are inclined in the belt insertion direction to withstand large belt extraction loads, then the resistance to belt extraction load is improved, but the molding die design becomes complex and manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to belt extraction loadVSAvoidmolding die design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement strip is designed to be flexible and deformable under load. When a belt extraction load is applied, the engagement strip dynamically changes its configuration - the engagement claws rotate about their rotation axes, causing the engagement surfaces to become inclined relative to the tooth surfaces. This dynamic adaptation allows the structure to withstand large extraction loads without requiring complex pre-inclined molding die designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inclination angle of the engagement surfaces is not fixed but changes in response to applied load. In the unloaded state, the engagement surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the engagement strip. When load is applied, the engagement strip deforms and the engagement surfaces become inclined, changing the geometric parameters adaptively to resist the extraction force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the engagement claws are designed with fixed perpendicular engagement surfaces, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the cable tie fails to effectively absorb large belt extraction loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolding die design simplicityVSAvoidresistance to belt extraction load
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement strip incorporates rotation axes that allow the engagement claws to rotate dynamically when loaded. This dynamic mechanism enables simple perpendicular engagement surfaces in the molded state to transform into inclined load-resisting surfaces during operation, achieving both manufacturing simplicity and load resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement strip automatically adjusts its own configuration in response to applied loads. When a belt extraction load is applied, the engagement strip self-deforms through the rotation of engagement claws about their axes, creating the necessary inclination of engagement surfaces without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or complex pre-designed geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If the engagement strip is made rigid to maintain precise engagement geometry, then the engagement precision is improved, but the ability to absorb large extraction loads through deformation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement geometry precisionVSAvoidabsorption of extraction load
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement strip is designed with controlled flexibility, allowing it to deform dynamically when loaded while maintaining precise engagement geometry in the unloaded state. The rotation axes provide defined pivot points that ensure predictable and precise movement of engagement claws during deformation, combining geometric precision with load-absorbing flexibility.

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

This design significantly increases the cable tie's resistance to substantial belt extraction loads, preventing unexpected withdrawal and improving clamping performance without needing to modify the engagement surfaces or tooth surfaces, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

the engagement strip in the buckle is designed to be deformed due to contact of the engagement claw with a bottom surface of one of tooth spaces of the rack teeth of the belt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3135975B1Cable tie
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 DAIWA KASEI IND CO LTD
  • EP3135975B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3135975B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3135975B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A cable tie (1) having a desired length of flexible belt (10) and a buckle (20) connected to one longitudinal end of the belt may include rack teeth (12) that are formed in one surface of the belt and are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the belt, an engagement strip (24) that is positioned in a through hole (22) of the buckle and is configured to be deformed about its proximal end connected to an inner wall of the buckle, and an engagement claw (26) that is formed in the engagement strip. The engagement strip is configured to be deformed due to contact with the belt inserted into the through hole of the buckle, so that a crossing angle (A) is formed between the engagement surface (28) of the engagement claw and the tooth surface (13) of one of the rack teeth in a fastened condition in which the belt is inserted into the through hole of the buckle and is tightened.