Door Cable Connection With Variable-Stiffness Protective Casing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door electrical connection systems face issues such as cable damage, bulkiness, and aesthetic exposure due to the use of sheaths and hinges, which can lead to cable wear and hinder door movement.
Innovation Solution
A component with a first and second case mounted on the door and jamb, respectively, featuring a flexible protective casing with variable stiffness to accommodate different kinematics, protecting the cable and allowing controlled bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cable sheath is inserted in a hinge pivot to protect the electrical cable, then the cable is protected from exposure, but the hinge becomes bulkier and the cable can still get stuck during door rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical cable connection from the hinge mechanism entirely. The cable passes through the hinge pivot without being part of the rotating mechanism, eliminating the conflict between cable protection and hinge rotation. The cable is routed separately from the hinge bodies, allowing the hinge to rotate freely while the cable remains stationary or moves independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the cable path into distinct segments: a first cable portion in the first hinge body, a second cable portion in the second hinge body, and connection elements that link them. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently, with the first portion being more rigid for structural stability and the second portion being more flexible for movement accommodation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible corrugated sheath is used to protect cables passing through the hinge, then the cable is protected during rotation, but the hinge becomes bulkier and travel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flexible corrugated sheath from the hinge structure entirely. Instead, the cable is protected by being integrated into the hinge bodies themselves, with the cable portions embedded in the first and second hinge bodies. This eliminates the bulkiness associated with external sheaths while maintaining cable protection during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic cable system where the first cable portion is more rigid (for structural stability) and the second cable portion is more flexible (for movement accommodation). This dynamic differentiation allows the cable to adapt to the hinge rotation without requiring a bulky flexible sheath, preserving hinge travel.
3Ease of operation
If cables are routed through the hinge at upper and lower fixing flanges, then electrical connection is achieved, but the cables remain exposed and vulnerable to damage during door closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the electrical cable portions within the hinge bodies. The first cable portion is embedded in the first hinge body, and the second cable portion is embedded in the second hinge body. This nesting protects the cables from external damage while maintaining electrical connection, eliminating the need for cables to remain exposed during door operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates the cable protection structure into the hinge design from the beginning. The cable portions are pre-positioned and protected within the hinge bodies before the door assembly is complete. This preliminary integration ensures cable protection is built-in rather than added as a separate protective measure.
4Shape
If multi-axis hinges with recessed electrical connections are used, then the hinge profile is reduced, but cables can still get stuck during door rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable routing from the recessed hinge design. Instead of having cables pass through recessed areas where they can get stuck, the cables are routed through the hinge bodies in a way that separates them from the rotation path. The first and second cable portions are positioned to avoid interference with the door rotation movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cable path into distinct portions that are independently positioned in the first and second hinge bodies. This segmentation allows each cable portion to be optimized for its specific location, avoiding the entanglement problems that occur with unified recessed cable routes during multi-axis rotation.
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 solution effectively protects the electrical cable from damage, maintains door aesthetics, and ensures smooth operation regardless of hinge configuration, while being adaptable to various door types.
Implementation Method 1
a protective casing having a variable stiffness configured to protect said cable, and capable to allow the bending of a first fraction of said cable within said first case, the shifting of at least one second fraction of said cable between said first and second case
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention concerns a component (1) of a door comprising a shutter(100) and a jamb (200) for the electrical connection between said shutter(100) and jamb (200), wherein said component (1) comprises a first case (10) configured to be mounted in said shutter(100) and a second case (20) configured to be mounted in said jamb (200), wherein said component (1) comprises a flat-type electrical power supply cable (30') having a first end connectable to a first connector (31) and a second a second end connectable to a second connector (32), and wherein said component (1) comprises a variable rigidity protective casing configured to protect said cable ( 30'), to cause a first fraction of said cable (30') to bend inside said first casing (10), and to cause at least a second fraction of said cable (30') to translate between said first (10) and second (20) case and the protrusion of a section of said protective casing from at least one of said first (10) and second (20) cases, said component being therefore able to, by means of a greater or lesser length of said protruding section, compensate for differences in the kinematics of the door and/or or the radius of its opening. The present invention also concerns a door configured to be associated with a component, which is the subject of this invention, and which comprises said shutter(100) and said jamb (200), wherein said shutter(100) comprises a housing to house said first case (10), and said jamb (200) comprises a housing to house said second case (20).