Elastic Guide Tubes for Cable Anchorage Transverse Force Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable anchoring systems face challenges in effectively absorbing transverse and bending forces at the exit of the anchorage without compromising static and dynamic properties, often requiring forced curvature and allowing dirt and condensate accumulation.

Innovation Solution

The use of elastic guide tubes with a deformable wall section, made from materials like polymers, that support cable strands over a significant length to absorb lateral forces and minimize deflection, while maintaining a clean and gap-free exit plane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid guide tubes are used to support cable strands, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to absorb transverse forces and bending is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidtransverse force absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible guide tubes made of elastomeric material instead of rigid tubes. These flexible tubes can deform elastically under transverse loads and bending forces, absorbing the forces while still providing guidance and support for the cable strands. The flexibility allows the tubes to conform to strand movements without compromising structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter of the guide tubes from rigid to elastomeric, which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties. The elastomeric material provides both flexibility to absorb transverse forces and sufficient structural stability to maintain guidance, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and force absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If forced curvature is applied to cable strands at the exit, then alignment is improved, but the static and dynamic properties of the anchorage are impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovealignmentVSAvoidstatic and dynamic properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamically flexible guide tubes that can adapt their shape to the cable strands rather than forcing a fixed curvature. The tubes move and deform with the strands, maintaining alignment without imposing rigid geometric constraints that would compromise the anchorage's dynamic properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Shape

If rigid widening openings are used to guide cable strands, then transverse distribution is improved, but dirt and condensate accumulation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransverse distributionVSAvoiddirt and condensate accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible guide tubes eliminate rigid widening openings by providing continuous flexible guidance surfaces. The tubes maintain proper transverse distribution of cable strands through their flexible deformation rather than through rigid geometric expansion, preventing crevices and undercuts where dirt and condensate could accumulate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 optimally absorbs transverse forces and bending without impairing the anchorage's static and dynamic performance, reduces curvature, and prevents dirt and condensate accumulation by resiliently supporting each strand and sealing it against the anchor body.

Implementation Method 1

the guide tubes have a wall section which is designed to be elastic in such a way that the cable strands guided therein can be deflected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the material can also exhibit viscoelastic behavior

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscoelastic behavior: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2652201B1Device for anchoring a plurality of cable strands of a cable bundle
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 BBR VT INTERNATIONAL LTD
  • EP2652201B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2652201B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Openings (4) for accommodating individual cable strands (1, 1', 1'') pass through an anchor body (3), wherein the cable strands are anchored by anchoring means (5). A guide disk (8) provided with openings (9) is retained inside a socket pipe (6) at a distance from the anchor body. Guide pipes (10), in each of which a cable strand is guided, extend between the openings of the anchor body and the openings of the guide disk. The guide pipes have an elastic wall section (11) at least in the region of the outlet opening (7) of the socket pipe. Thus, transverse forces occurring in the cable strand due to deflection can be elastically absorbed and transmitted directly or indirectly to the socket pipe.