Clamshell Cable Clamp With Self-Retention and Stable Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamps for securing cables and conduits, particularly in industrial vehicles, face issues such as cables falling out during assembly, difficulty in handling thick cables, inability to stack multiple clamps without sliding or rotation, and increased space usage.
Innovation Solution
A clamshell clamp design with a first body rotatably coupled to a second body by a hinge, featuring retention clips with an arc angle greater than 180 degrees and elastic properties to secure cables or conduits without user assistance, along with alignment recesses and protrusions for stacking, allowing efficient assembly and space-saving arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional two-part clamps are used to secure cables, then the cables can be retained when assembled, but the cables are prone to fall out during assembly requiring operator assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp body includes pre-formed channels and retention structures that are prepared in advance to automatically capture and hold cables during insertion, eliminating the need for operator assistance during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed with self-retaining features where the cable insertion itself triggers the retention mechanism, allowing the clamp to secure the cable automatically without requiring external manipulation or assistance
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional clamps are stacked to secure multiple cables, then more cables can be secured, but the clamps slide or rotate relative to each other
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp design incorporates asymmetric features such as non-circular cross-sections or oriented mounting surfaces that prevent rotation and sliding when multiple clamps are stacked, ensuring stable configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple clamps are designed to nest together in a predetermined configuration with interlocking features that maintain fixed relative positions, preventing unwanted movement between stacked clamps
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional clamps are installed above or below each other instead of stacked, then cable securing is achieved, but increased space is utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp design enables vertical stacking in the same horizontal footprint by incorporating features that allow stable stacking in the vertical dimension, reducing the horizontal space required compared to side-by-side or above-below installation arrangements
4Power
If thick and heavy gauge battery cables are used in industrial vehicles, then adequate power transmission is achieved, but the installer has difficulty holding and manipulating the cables during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp channels and retention structures are pre-positioned and sized to accommodate thick cables, allowing the cables to be guided into place without requiring the installer to manually hold and manipulate them throughout the assembly process
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 clamshell clamp design securely retains cables or conduits with minimal user interaction, enables efficient assembly, and allows for stacking to save space, improving installation efficiency and reducing clutter.
Implementation Method 1
The retention clip may be at least partially elastic such that when a cable or conduit is inserted into the cable or conduit receiving channel in the first body, the retention clip flexes or deforms away from the cable or conduit receiving channel to allow the cable or conduit to be inserted, but once the cable or conduit is received in the cable or conduit receiving channel, the retention clip returns to a neutral position and applies a compressive force on the cable or conduit to retain the cable or conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A cable or conduit retention system includes a first clamp with a first body coupleable to a second body by a hinge and a latch. The first body includes a retention clip extending from an edge around a cable or conduit receiving channel in the first body, with the cable or conduit receiving channel and the retention clip having a combined arc angle greater than 180 degrees to retain a cable or conduit in the cable or conduit receiving channel prior to the second body being coupled to the first body during assembly. The first body may also include integral fasteners for engaging holes in a mounting support coupled to a vehicle. A second clamp may include integral fasteners for engaging the first clamp in a stacking arrangement. The second body of the first clamp includes an alignment protrusion for engaging an alignment recess in the second clamp to assist in preventing movement between the clamps in the stacked arrangement.