Cable Tie Fastening Head with Transverse Exit Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable ties with self-locking mechanisms often have fastening heads that protrude outside the loop, potentially damaging neighboring cables and require complex or time-consuming methods to ensure the free end is guided outside the loop, especially when varying loop diameters are involved.
Innovation Solution
A cable tie design featuring a fastening head with a protruding section inclined at an acute angle, containing a guide channel for the material strip to exit inside the loop, and a second opening allowing the free end to pass from inside to outside, reducing space requirements and preventing damage to cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fastening head protrudes outside the loop to facilitate insertion and adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of damaging neighboring cables increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second opening arranged transversally to the longitudinal axis, creating a new dimensional pathway for the material strip to exit inside the loop rather than outside. This dimensional change allows the fastening head to remain protruding for ease of operation while redirecting the strip exit path to avoid cable damage
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening head is divided into functional zones: a protruding section with the first opening for insertion and adjustment, and a non-protruding section with the second opening for the strip to exit inside the loop. This segmentation allows different parts of the fastening head to serve different functions - the protruding part facilitates operation while the recessed part prevents cable damage
2Ease of operation
If the material strip exits outside the loop through a single longitudinal opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the space requirement increases due to protruding fastening heads
Solution Approach 1:
The second opening is arranged transversally to the longitudinal axis, creating a new exit pathway that directs the material strip inside the loop. This transverse dimension allows the strip to exit without requiring the fastening head to be positioned outside the loop, reducing the overall space requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The exit path of the material strip through the second opening is nested inside the loop formed by the strip itself. The strip passes through the first opening, forms a loop around cables, then exits through the second opening back inside the loop, creating a nested configuration that minimizes external protrusions
3Device complexity
If a single longitudinal opening is used in the fastening head, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to guide the free end outside the loop varies with loop diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The opening system is segmented into two distinct openings: the first longitudinal opening for insertion and the second transverse opening for exit. This segmentation provides reliable guidance for the material strip regardless of loop diameter, as the transverse second opening ensures the strip exits inside the loop without depending on loop size
Solution Approach 2:
The first opening serves multiple functions: receiving the material strip, guiding it during insertion, and allowing adjustment by pulling the free end. The second opening universally ensures the strip exits inside the loop regardless of loop diameter. Together, these multi-functional openings provide adaptability across different cable harness configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A cable tie (1) having a material strip (11), a fastening head (2) that has a first opening (30) provided with a ratchet (34) and protrudes with respect to the longitudinal axis of material strip (11), an insertion element (15) arranged to be introduced in the fastening head (2), first opening (30) passing longitudinally through the fastening head (2) between an entry (31), at a free end of fastening head (2), and an exit (32), ending towards a junction area (16) between material strip (11) and fastening head (2). The fastening head (2) has a second opening (40) that passes transversely therethrough and arranged between junction area (16) and the first opening (30) so that, during a tying position of the cable tie (1), the exit (32) of first opening (30) ends inside of the loop and faces towards second opening (40).