Control Box Cable Strain Relief Using Integrated Clamping Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control box systems for adjustable furniture, such as height-adjustable tables, require complex and costly designs for effective strain relief of mains cables, which are difficult to handle and install.
Innovation Solution
A simplified strain relief system using integral clamping lugs within the control box housing, where the mains cable clamp guide forms a loop around the mains cable, allowing easy insertion and secure retention without the need for additional fastening elements or complex modifications to the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional strain relief devices with clamps or screws are used, then the mains cable is securely held in place, but the design becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The strain relief function is merged with the existing control box housing structure. The clamping lugs are integrated directly into the housing wall, eliminating the need for separate strain relief devices, clamps, or screws. This combining of functions reduces component count while maintaining cable retention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure itself provides the strain relief function through its integrated clamping lugs. The housing serves dual purposes: structural enclosure and cable retention. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional fastening elements or complex modifications to achieve strain relief.
2Ease of operation
If wire guides with fastening elements are used for cable routing, then cable management is improved, but the installation becomes laborious and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing function is merged with the strain relief structure. The clamping lugs serve both to secure the cable and to guide its routing through the housing wall. This integration eliminates the need for separate wire guides and fastening elements, simplifying both design and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex fastening elements and separate wire guide components are extracted from the design. Only the essential clamping lugs remain, which provide both routing and retention functions in a single, simple structural feature.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for strain relief, then cable security is enhanced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (cable guidance, clamping, and retention) are merged into a single integrated housing structure with clamping lugs. This eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble multiple separate components, reducing production complexity and cost while maintaining cable security.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: structural enclosure, cable routing, strain relief, and cable retention. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and user-friendly strain relief mechanism that securely holds the mains cable in place, preventing easy removal and reducing installation complexity while maintaining accessibility to the mains plug.
Implementation Method 1
The clamping wings have edges which are parallel to one another and are spaced apart less than the diameter of the cable. The clamping wings are inclined towards the inside of the housing. If the cable is pressed between the parallel edges, it will be deformed. This creates a force that holds the cable. When trying to pull the cable out of the device, it is held in place by the friction created between the surface of the cable and the edges of the clamping wings.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control box, in particular for adjustable furniture parts, e.g. height-adjustable tables, comprising: a control-box housing and a power plug in a wall of the control-box housing, wherein the control-box housing has a strain-relief device for a power cable with a power-cable socket for connection to the power plug, characterized in that the strain-relief device has an in particular channel-like power-cable-clamping guide, which is arranged in the control-box housing upstream of the power plug, as seen in the plug-in direction of the power-cable socket, so as to run transversely to the plug-in direction, and is arranged beneath the power plug such that the power-cable socket, when plugged into the power plug, closes the power-cable-clamping guide on the upper side at least to some extent such that the associated power cable does not pass out of the power-cable-clamping guide.