Cellulosic Cable Tie Locking Head for Strong Easy Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable ties pose environmental hazards due to their plastic composition and can entangle or be swallowed by animals, while lacking usability and tamper evidence.
Innovation Solution
A cable tie with a cord made of cellulosic fibers, a locking head with a specific diameter-to-gap ratio, and a metal blade angled at 47°-62°, allowing easy insertion and strong locking, using biodegradable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cord diameter is increased to provide stronger locking force, then the locking strength is improved, but the force required for inserting the cord increases making it harder to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the ratio between cord diameter and blade-to-wall distance to a specific range (1.62-2.05). This precise parameter adjustment ensures the cord is thick enough to provide strong locking force while remaining thin enough to be easily inserted, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cellulosic fibers as the cord material, creating a composite structure that combines the strength needed for reliable locking with the flexibility required for easy insertion. The natural properties of cellulosic materials allow the cord to maintain both mechanical strength and deformability
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional plastic materials are used for cable ties, then manufacturing and handling are easy, but environmental harm increases due to non-biodegradability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from conventional plastics to cellulosic fibers, transforming the cable tie from non-biodegradable to biodegradable. This material substitution maintains manufacturing feasibility while eliminating the environmental harm associated with plastic waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential weakness of natural fibers into a benefit by utilizing their biodegradability as a positive environmental feature. The cellulosic cord, which might be perceived as less durable than plastic, actually provides the benefit of breaking down naturally after use, eliminating the harmful environmental impact of plastic cable ties
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 cable tie provides a strong, non-releasable, and tamper-evident solution with reduced environmental impact, improving usability and handling.
Implementation Method 1
the cord comprising cellulosic fibers has a certain flexibility in the radial direction, allowing it to deform under the force exerted onto the cord by the blade
Implementation Method 2
the blade may be arranged to have a certain resilience, allowing it to flex or move in the direction of the outlet during pushing/pulling of the cord through the passage
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A cable tie (100) comprising: - a cord (101) having a first end (102), a second end (103), and a diameter (d), the cord comprising cellulosic fibers, and - a locking head (104) fixedly attached to the first end (102), said locking head (104) being adapted to receive the second end (103) and retain the cable tie (100) in a closed loop configuration, wherein the locking head (104) defines a wall (105) that encircles a passage (106) having an inlet (107), an outlet (108) and a central axis (110) extending between the inlet (107) and the outlet (108), and comprises a blade (109) that extends into the passage (106) for engaging the cord (101) and which is arranged to allow displacement of the cord (101) in a first direction towards the outlet (108) while preventing displacement of the cord (101) in a second direction towards the inlet (107), wherein the blade (109) comprises a first end (109a) fixed to a first wall portion (105a) of the wall (105), and a second end (109b) defining a smallest distance (h) between the blade (109) and a second wall portion (105b) of the wall (105), the second wall portion (105b) being disposed at a side of the passage (105) opposite to that of the first wall portion (105a), with respect to the central axis (110), and wherein a ratio (r) of the diameter (d) of the cord to the smallest distance (h) is 1.62-2.05.