Cable Traction Terminal With Flexible Outer Tube Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable traction terminal structures with heat-shrinkable tubes have low extensibility, leading to wrinkles and potential water ingress due to cracks on the outer surface when bent, compromising the integrity of the inner tube.
Innovation Solution
A cable traction terminal structure featuring an inner tube with a helically wound configuration and a flexible outer tube that enters a groove on the inner tube's surface, along with a connecting member and water-blocking resin, to mitigate surface unevenness and prevent water entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a heat-shrinkable tube is used to cover the outer circumferential surface, then water protection is improved, but the tube develops wrinkles and cracks when bent due to low extensibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid heat-shrinkable tube with a flexible outer tube that can bend without developing cracks. The flexible outer tube is designed to accommodate bending movements while maintaining water protection, eliminating the wrinkle and crack formation issue that occurred with heat-shrinkable tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the outer tube to achieve high extensibility and flexibility. By selecting materials with appropriate elastic modulus and tensile strength, the outer tube can stretch and bend without cracking, while still providing effective water protection for the inner tube.
2Strength
If the outer tube is made rigid for structural stability, then protection is improved, but the tube cannot accommodate bending and routing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible outer tube that provides both structural stability and bending flexibility. The tube's design allows it to maintain its protective function while adapting to various routing configurations and bending operations, eliminating the need to choose between rigidity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material construction for the outer tube, combining materials with different properties to achieve both strength and flexibility. This allows the tube to resist external forces and maintain structural integrity while simultaneously accommodating bending and routing operations.
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
The solution enhances the extensibility and compressibility of the outer tube, reducing the likelihood of cracks and water ingress, while maintaining structural integrity and flexibility during bending and routing.
Implementation Method 1
a part of the outer tube enters the groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube... the outer tube in the groove follows the bending of the inner tube even when a force for bending the inner tube is applied
Data Source
AI summary
An optical cable traction terminal structure includes: a helically wound inner tube that houses an optical cable; and a flexible outer tube disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the helically wound inner tube, wherein a part of the flexible outer tube enters an inside of a groove on the outer circumferential surface of the helically wound inner tube.