Cross-Axis Cable Management for Gimbal Mechanisms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable management systems for gimbal mechanisms are inadequate in handling large numbers of conventional and fiber optic ribbon cables across multiple axes without causing damage or performance loss, as they suffer from friction issues and are not suitable for high-speed data transmission or combustible environments.

Innovation Solution

A cross-axis cable management system utilizing a 'bird cage' mechanism for the first axis, a 'clock spring' mechanism for the second axis, and a 'rolling loop' mechanism for the third axis, which provides defined channels and protective elements to manage cables with minimal friction and optimized slack, enabling repeated motion without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If slip rings are used for cable management, then rotational motion is enabled, but cable damage occurs due to electrical arcing and physical contact wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational motion capabilityVSAvoidcable durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based slip ring system with a magnetic coupling system that uses magnetic fields to transfer rotational motion without physical contact between the rotating and stationary components. This eliminates electrical arcing and mechanical wear, thereby preventing cable damage while maintaining rotational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the rotating and stationary components, allowing rotational motion to be transmitted through the magnetic coupling without direct physical contact. This intermediary mechanism protects the cables from damage caused by traditional mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If slip rings are used for high frequency signal transmission, then rotational motion is enabled, but signal quality degrades due to impedance discontinuities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational motion capabilityVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical slip ring system with a magnetic coupling system that provides a continuous, smooth signal path without the impedance discontinuities inherent in mechanical contact interfaces. This maintains signal integrity for high frequency transmissions while enabling rotational motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If traditional cable management systems are used, then cable routing is simplified, but friction and drag increase requiring larger motors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable routing simplicityVSAvoidmotor power requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible cable management structures that guide cables through smooth, curved paths without sharp bends or friction points. These flexible channels reduce drag and friction, lowering the torque requirements and allowing for smaller, more efficient motors while maintaining cable routing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Speed

If fiber optic cables are used for high speed data transmission, then data rate increases, but minimum bend radius requirements limit cable management options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidcable management flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs flexible cable channels with carefully controlled curvature radii that meet the minimum bend radius requirements of fiber optic cables. These channels guide the cables through smooth arcs, preventing sharp bends that would damage the fibers, while still allowing the cables to reach all necessary connection points in the gimbal system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional cable routing paths that optimize the bend radius by distributing cable turns across multiple spatial dimensions. This allows fiber optic cables to navigate the gimbal structure with appropriate curvature in each dimension, maintaining signal integrity while achieving versatile cable management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9146369B2System for cross-axis management of conventional and fiber optic cables

Publication Date: 2015.09.29 BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION ANDELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC

AI summary

A cross axis cable management system comprising a bird cage mechanism, a clock spring mechanism and a rolling loop mechanism positioned about a first axis, second axis and third axis of a gimbal mechanism respectively. Each mechanism provides defined channels and protective elements to prevent cable damage. The mechanisms also have one fixed end, one rotational end, and an optimized amount of slack for repeatable cable motion. The system effectively manages a large number of conventional and fiber optic cables while minimizing the friction or drag associated with the motion about the multiple axes and preventing cable damage and the resultant loss of performance.