Corrugated Tube Guide Assembly for Fast, Secure Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable routing devices, such as cable harnesses, are problematic to install quickly and cost-effectively due to issues with the assembly of corrugated tubes and connectors.
Innovation Solution
A guide device comprising a corrugated tube with slots and a housing element, along with a support element like a support ring, allows for easy assembly and secure connection of cable elements, ensuring the corrugated tube remains attached under tensile stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cable harness with corrugated tube is used to route wiring components, then the wiring components are protected from mechanical influences, but the installation becomes problematic and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cable harness is divided into modular sections with pre-assembled corrugated tubes and connectors. Each module can be independently manufactured and then quickly combined during installation, reducing overall installation time while maintaining protection benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated tubes and connectors are pre-assembled and prepared before the actual installation process. This preliminary preparation allows for faster on-site installation while ensuring proper protection of wiring components from mechanical damage
2Ease of operation
If the corrugated tube is made flexible to enable easy routing around cable elements, then the installation becomes more efficient, but the tube may detach under tensile stress
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with differentiated local properties: a flexible region that allows the tube to bend and route around cable elements, and a rigid gripping region that provides secure anchoring under tensile stress. This local variation in mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and attachment security
3Reliability
If the connection element is made large to ensure secure connection, then the connection reliability improves, but the element cannot be inserted into the corrugated tube in the axial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed to be inserted into the corrugated tube not in the axial direction but through the wall thickness direction (radially). This dimensional change allows the connection element to achieve secure connection while bypassing the insertion constraint, enabling both large size for reliability and ease of installation
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 guide device enables rapid and cost-effective installation of cable elements, providing protection from mechanical influences and maintaining a secure fit even under high tensile loads.
Implementation Method 1
The corrugated pipe is opened along its slot, in particular by unfolding, stretching, or rolling it up, which elastically deforms the corrugated pipe and enlarges the slot
Implementation Method 2
The corrugated pipe can then spring back, reducing or closing the slot
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a guide device (1) for guiding at least one conductor element (2), with at least one corrugated tube (5) which defines at least one channel (6) along which the conductor element (2) is to be guided, and with a housing element (7) formed separately from the corrugated tube (5) in which a length section (E) of the corrugated tube (5) is received, wherein at least one support element (14) arranged within the corrugated tube (5) is provided in the length section (E) by means of which the corrugated tube (5) can be supported inwards in the radial direction of the corrugated tube (5).